A lot of people didn’t like how Justin Thomas was hanging out with Zach Johnson, who will be captain of the 2023 Ryder Cup, even though Thomas wasn’t playing his best that year. On tour, everyone knows how good JT is at team matches. Some players need to kiss their ass, but Thomas isn’t one of them.

But it is possible to play politics at team games. When I say that, you might think of Webb Simpson’s text message to Tom Watson at 4 a.m. that got Watson to choose him at the last minute. The truth is that the act is more complicated and even dirtier.

As someone who has played for the American team, I can only speak for them. If a captain puts on a clinic or charity event, a player whose schedule was usually full will now suddenly have that Monday open. A few more people might want to join the captain for practice rounds or dinner, and his corny jokes in the clubhouse would get a few more laughs.

To be honest, most guys are careful not to go too far when they bootlick because of the bad reputation it has.

A lot of players want their leaders to know they want to be on the team, but being called a fake is pretty close to being called a cheater. We all know which guys are usually outgoing and which ones like to keep to themselves. That’s why when someone from the latter group starts getting friendly with people who make decisions, we all notice. Just be yourself and hope that’s enough.

When non-players try to get in touch, that’s when things can get awkward.

There is no better Christmas than the one you have as leader of the Ryder Cup or the Presidents Cup. There is a popular story about a captain who got a football helmet with the U.S. flag on one side and the logo of his college on the other.

The helmet came from an agent who had three players in the running for draft picks. The agent made sure to include that information in the letter that went with the helmet. Inside his own company, someone might gently tell the captain that it would be great if one of his picks could “stay in the family.

There is no better Christmas than the one you have as leader of the Ryder Cup or the Presidents Cup. There is a popular story about a captain who got a football helmet with the U.S. flag on one side and the logo of his college on the other.

The helmet came from an agent who had three players in the running for draft picks. The agent made sure to include that information in the letter that went with the helmet. Inside his own company, someone might gently tell the captain that it would be great if one of his picks could “stay in the family.

It’s no secret that the Presidents Cup and the Ryder Cup don’t always get good numbers during football season. More meetings than you can think are attended by representatives from the broadcasting network to make sure that big names who haven’t already qualified are given serious thought.

In three of his last four team starts, Phil Mickelson was chosen by the captain. Nickelson placed 30th in points in the 2015 Presidents Cup, which was a terrible event. I’ve heard that Rickie Fowler has also been under a lot of heat.

People who think the system is bad should know that things are getting better. Ryan Moore is your patron saint in this case. In 2016, other candidates for captain’s pick were bowing to the powers that be. Moore, on the other hand, was very clear: “I want to compete.

Pick me if you think I deserve it. I’m not playing the game.” Moore beat Rory McIlroy in a playoff at the Tour Championship, which got him the nod. He then won two of his three matches at Hazeltine, including the Sunday singles match that decided the championship.