Zach Johnson to Lead Team USA in the Ryder Cup

Zach Johnson and wife Kim Barclay pose after Johnson was announced as United States Ryder Cup Captain for 2023 during a press conference at PGA of America Headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on Feb. 28, 2022. Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images

Zach Johnson was recently named as the 30th U.S.A. team captain for the 44th Ryder Cup in 2023 at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy, next September.

The U.S. team has not won in Europe since 1993 at The Belfry, as the previous six captains were unsuccessful away from American soil.

“It is an honor of a lifetime,” said Johnson. “I’m humbled in the sense that I have individuals around me, friends of mine, peers of mine, guys I compete with, guys I’ve looked up to, guys even as my captains said ‘Hey, it’s your turn, it’s your time.’”

With many of the top 10 players in the world, the hopes of the Americans repeating the biggest margin of victory over Europe at Whistling Straits, 19–9, is at an all-time high.

Johnson was a vice-Captain in the 2021 win at Whistling Straits.

Vice-captain Fred Couples of team United States, vice-captain Zach Johnson of team United States, vice-captain Phil Mickelson of team United States, Bryson DeChambeau of team United States, Harris English of team United States, Tony Finau of team United States, Dustin Johnson of team United States, Scottie Scheffler of team United States, Daniel Berger of team United States, vice-captain Davis Love III of team United States, vice-captain Jim Furyk of team United States, (Front L-R) Patrick Cantlay of team United States, Collin Morikawa of team United States, Justin Thomas of team United States, captain Steve Stricker of team United States, Jordan Spieth of team United States, Xander Schauffele of team United States and Brooks Koepka of team United States pose for a team photo prior to the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisc., on Sept. 22, 2021. Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Johnson has also served as a vice-captain in recent Ryder Cups, and has a rare American winning record for the past few decades of 8–7–2, on only one winning team.

Winning 12 times on the PGA Tour, Johnson won two majors to include The Masters in 2007 at Augusta National, and the Open Championship at St. Andrews in 2015.

“I love going over there and competing. I love stretching myself. I love being uncomfortable,” said Johnson. “It is going to be hard. But it’s also just a beautiful opportunity to go out there and give these guys an avenue to be themselves and play with freedom and that’s kind of how I’m going to approach it.”

Johnson married Kim Barclay in 2003, and they have two sons, Will and Wyatt, and one daughter, Abby Jane. They currently reside in St. Simons, Georgia, having formerly lived in Lake Mary, Florida, where they attended the First Baptist Church in Orlando.

The Zach Johnson Foundation is dedicated to helping children and their families in need in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A program created by the Johnsons helped to raise $700,000 for community agencies serving local children.

“This foundation will fulfill a dream of mine and Kim’s to give back to Cedar Rapids in a long-lasting, meaningful way,” stated Johnson previously.

“I loved it and the team camaraderie chemistry,” said Johnson. “When you play an individual game and now you’re in this arena as a team as a band, it was captivating and I just fully embraced it. I loved everything about it.”

During morning foursome matches of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, on Oct. 1, 2016. Getty Images

“I was doing that as a vice captain, and now that I’m in this massive serving role, that’s exactly what I’m gonna do,” added Johnson. “I’m gonna help in whatever they need. I hope I can answer their questions and help them along with their journey to the 2023 Ryder Cup.”