Brooks Koepka among Zach Johnson's picks for U.S. Ryder Cup team - ESPN

A LIV Golf League captain will represent the United States when it takes on Europe in next month's Ryder Cup in Italy.

Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka was among U.S. team captain Zach Johnson's six captain's picks announced Tuesday.

Koepka left the PGA Tour for the Saudi Arabian-financed LIV Golf League in June 2022. He won his third PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York, in May.

Johnson's other captain's picks were Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth and Sam Burns.

Koepka returned from a career-threatening knee injury and tied for second at the Masters before collecting his third Wanamaker Trophy in May. He tied for 17th in the U.S. Open and 64th at The Open. He finished 29 points behind Xander Schauffele for the final automatic roster spot.

While LIV Golf League players have been suspended by the PGA Tour, they are still active PGA of America members because they paid their membership dues before June 30, 2022. The governing body said they will retain their membership through the end of June 2023 and then through a grace period that expires in June 2024, making them eligible to compete in the Ryder Cup.

European Ryder Cup veterans like Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter resigned from the DP World Tour and are ineligible to compete in the Ryder Cup.

Koepka's inclusion doesn't figure to be as scrutinized as much as Thomas' after the two-time major champion struggled mightily during the PGA Tour season and finished 15th in Ryder Cup points. A two-time PGA Championship winner, Thomas finished 71st in the FedEx Cup points standings and missed the playoffs by one spot. He missed the cut in three of four majors and had three top-10 finishes in 20 starts.

Sele