U.S. Ryder Cup captain's picks: Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, others join the squad

Captain Zach Johnson has completed the U.S. Ryder Cup team for 2023 by announcing his six picks, generating both support and controversy.

The chosen players for the 2023 American Ryder Cup team include Brooks Koepka, Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Sam Burns, and Justin Thomas.

Brooks Koepka's selection is noteworthy as the 2023 PGA champion, despite his brief departure from the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf. He has participated in three previous Ryder Cups with a 6-5-1 record.

Rickie Fowler makes his fifth Ryder Cup appearance due to his career resurgence. His Ryder record stands at 3-7-5.

Jordan Spieth, a previous Ryder Cup stalwart with four appearances and an 8-7-3 record, brings significant energy to the team, despite facing a challenging phase.

Collin Morikawa, despite a slight cooling-off period after a strong start to his career with two major wins, remains a valuable pick. He boasts a 3-0-1 Ryder Cup record.

1. Sam Burns, despite not having prior Ryder Cup experience, secured a spot on the team due to his tour victory this year, showcasing consistent performance. His world ranking is 22. 2. 

Justin Thomas's inclusion as a pick sparked debate, given his recent performance decline and failure to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs' top 70. However, his exceptional Ryder Cup record of 6-2-1 from two appearances prevailed.

The selected captain's picks will join the already qualified players, which include Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Brian Harman, Wyndham Clark, and Patrick Cantlay.