Zach Johnson to be US Ryder Cup captain

Two-time major champion Zach Johnson is taking over as Ryder Cup captain, leading an American side trying to end 30 years without a victory on European soil.

Three people with knowledge of the decision have confirmed the move to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the PGA of America has yet to announce Johnson's selection.

The decision is not a surprise. Johnson, 45, has been an assistant captain each of the last two matches, and the US team has moved toward captains with previous involvement.

The 2023 matches are scheduled for Marco Simone outside Rome in Italy. The Americans are coming off the country's biggest Ryder Cup rout, beating Europe 19-9 at Whistling Straits last September with Wisconsin native Steve Stricker as the captain.

Stricker was part of the Ryder Cup committee - three PGA Tour players and three PGA of America executives - that picked the next captain.

Europe have yet to announce their next captain, a process that has been slowed as some candidates contemplated joining a Saudi-funded rival league that has yet to get off the ground.

Tony Finau, when asked last week at Riviera if he could envision Johnson as Ryder Cup captain, gave his endorsement and described his as a "great leader."

"He's a cool blend of the older generational player and a person with a new generational outlook on the game," Finau said.

"He's lived in both worlds. He's got a great perspective on the game and the team atmosphere."

Johnson played in five Ryder Cups, part of a distinguished career that began with him driving the country to play on mini-tours out of college and now includes 12 wins on the PGA Tour, including the Masters in 2007 and the British Open in 2015 at St Andrews.

Once a self-described as a