United States Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson will lead his complete 12-man group on a reconnaissance mission at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome forward of the biennial competitors in opposition to Europe.
The United States has not gained the Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993 and so Johnson has made it a precedence to present his gamers an opportunity to get to familiarise themselves with the course earlier than arriving on website for the Sept. 29-Oct. 1 occasion.
“I’m taking the 12 guys that make my team to Rome two weeks prior to the event — two and a half weeks prior to the event, so that way we get our feet on the grounds, they get their feet on the grounds, experience Marco Simone firsthand,” Johnson stated on Wednesday on the PGA Championship,
“Then when we leave and come back home for two weeks, they’ll have at least, I think, a pretty realistic expectation as to what is required.”
Johnson has loads of Ryder Cup expertise having performed within the occasion on 5 events whereas additionally serving as vice captain on the final two editions and feels the fact-finding mission at Marco Simone will present many advantages.
For Johnson, the “crucial” go to is not only about constructing chemistry and camaraderie but additionally so the gamers have an opportunity to get to know the course earlier than stepping right into a busy Ryder Cup week that’s stuffed with calls for and distractions.
“We all know Monday through Thursday is pretty trying. There’s a lot that goes on,” stated Johnson.
“And if we have any weather issues or just things get really congested and difficult and tight, they’ve already experienced it, so they don’t have to push themselves immensely.”
Johnson stated he has already reached out to a number of of the gamers on the Ryder Cup qualifying record to tell them of his plans to go to Marco Simone and that to date he has not heard something that implies anybody will not be in assist of the concept.
The PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta wraps up on Aug. 27, which Johnson feels will give his group sufficient time to each relaxation and take part within the pre-Ryder Cup go to to Rome.
“The beauty of it is there’s four weeks between the Tour Championship and the Ryder Cup,” stated Johnson.
“I’m confident knowing that these guys — again, I know they’re making it a priority, so I know they’ll take care of their bodies, but if there’s anything I can do along the way, I’m certainly going to give it its full attention.”