Stricker appoints Davis Love and Zach Johnson as assistants

Steve Stricker. Photo by Darren Carroll/PGA of America

US Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker has named Zach Johnson and Davis Love III as Vice Captains for the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

They join Jim Furyk, who was immediately appointed as a Vice Captain by Stricker when he was named as skipper for the September 25-27 showdown.

“With the Ryder Cup it's important to surround yourself with quality individuals who you can lean on and who have the best interests of the team in mind,” said Stricker, who will announce further Vice Captains at a later date.

“Jim (Furyk) and I have talked about this a lot in the last year and now we are happy to add two Ryder Cup veterans in Zach and Davis to the conversation with the goal of putting this team in a prime position to win. Both Zach and Davis share a passion to compete at the highest level and are strong communicators, which is important, especially when we’re in the heat of competition.”

This is Johnson’s second stint as a Ryder Cup Vice Captain, having served at Le Golf National in 2018.

Johnson, 44, played for the U.S. in five Ryder Cups: 2006, ‘10, ‘12, ‘14 and ‘16. A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Johnson has 12 career PGA Tour victories as well as four appearances in the Presidents Cup. 

“It’s always an honour to be part of the U.S. Ryder Cup Team,” said Johnson. “In a domestic Ryder Cup, it’s important to defend ‘our turf,’ and to do so on behalf of Steve — in his home state at Whistling Straits — is a great opportunity for our team to make a statement.”

A two-time Captain, Love led the U.S. to a 17-11 victory at Hazeltine National Golf Club in the most recent domestic Ryder Cup in 2016.

Love played in six Ryder Cups (1993, ‘95, ‘97, ‘99, 2002, ‘04) and served as Vice Captain in 2010 and ‘18. The 56-year-old has 21 career PGA Tour victories, including the 1997 PGA Championship.

“Steve has been such a consistent presence on this team, both as a player and as a Vice Captain, and now it’s his time to lead.” Love said. “He has a terrific vision for what he wants our U.S. Team to not only accomplish, but represent, all year long. I’m confident in the program he has in place and am anxious to get to work.”

European captain Pádraig Harrington named Robert Karlsson as a Vice-Captain on his appointment and last week inadvertently revealed in a live TV interview that Luke Donald will also be an assistant in Wisconsin.