Brooks Koepka, Michael Block and more in men's golf this week - ESPN

Before last week's PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club, U.S. Ryder Cup team captain Zach Johnson was asked about the possibility of a LIV Golf League player qualifying for his team or being one of his captain's choices.

«I think it would be premature and almost irresponsible to even go into that,» Johnson said. «It's not on my radar now.»

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There are still about four months to play before the Americans will try to end a 30-year drought on European soil at the Ryder Cup, which will take place Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at Marco Simone Golf Club and Country Club outside Rome.

By winning the PGA Championship for the third time and picking up his fifth major championship on Sunday, Brooks Koepka must look like a jumbo jet on Johnson's radar now. Koepka moved up to No. 2 in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings with 8,936 points. Only Scottie Scheffler has more with 20,236.

The top six players in the standings after the BMW Championship on Aug. 17-20 will automatically qualify for the team. Johnson will also make six captain's choices.

«What I appreciate about Brooks is just how he goes about his work in massive tournaments,» Johnson said Sunday. «He's a rare breed mentally, where he just is able to bring out his best in the most difficult and trying of circumstances.»

Johnson has said that chemistry will be an important factor in how he builds his team. Max Homa, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay and Cameron Young round out the current top six that would have automatic spots on the team.

Johnson isn't ready to say whether he