Johnson confirmed as USA's 2023 Ryder Cup captain

Zach Johnson has been confirmed as the United States' captain for their defence of the Ryder Cup in 2023, succeeding Steve Stricker in the role.

The PGA of America revealed Johnson's appointment at a press conference for Monday and the man who celebrates his 46th birthday on Thursday will be charged with retaining the trophy at Marco Simone Golf Club in Italy next September, live on Sky Sports' dedicated Ryder Cup channel.

Johnson has previously served as an assistant captain on two occasions, filling the position for Jim Furyk in 2018 in Paris and then for Stricker in the USA's success 19-9 at Whistling Straits last year, and took to social media to express his pride at being chosen to lead the team this time around.

"What an unbelievable honor to be your next @RyderCupUSA Team Captain," Johnson wrote on his Twitter account. "Time to lead #RyderCupUSA to victory!"

The two-time major champion made five Ryder Cup appearances as a player, making his debut in 2006 and then featuring in four consecutive editions of the biennial contest from 2010 through to Team USA's victory at Hazeltine.

Johnson has 12 career PGA Tour wins, including the Masters Tournament in 2007 and The Open in 2015. He also featured in four Presidents Cups for Team USA - featuring on the winning team each time.

Fred Couples has been the winning captain for three US Presidents Cup teams and has been a Ryder Cup vice-captain twice, while Matt Kuchar, one of Furyk's vice-captains in 2018, was among the other potential names under consideration for the role.

The United States have not won the Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993, but stormed to a record victory at Whistling Straits last year, with all 12 of their team ranked inside the world's top 21 at