Where do the LIV Golf players stand with the Ryder Cup?

One of the biggest shake-outs to the whole LIV Golf merry-go-round is how it will affect the Ryder Cup next year. It seems like the bulk of the future European Ryder Cup captains have all just jumped ship and there's even whispers that Henrik Stenson, the captain in Italy next year, could reverse his decision and join up with LIV.

Zach Johnson is the United States' skipper in 2023 and he was pretty clear in how he sees the qualification play out.

"So what I know is this: In order to play on the Ryder Cup team, whether you're top six or a pick, you must garner Ryder Cup points through the PGA of America," Johnson said. "In order to garner Ryder Cup points through the PGA of America, you have to be a member of the PGA of America. The way that we're members of the PGA of America is through the PGA Tour. I'll let you connect the dots from there."

Which would leave him without four of Steve Stricker's triumphant team from Whistling Straits – Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau – as well as other hopefuls and the likes of one-time Captain America Patrick Reed.

For the Europeans Lee Westwood was still hopeful/deluded in that not much has changed in recent months.

Westwood said: "I mean, why should it be threatened? I've been playing Ryder Cup golf since 1997, and the criteria has been to be a member of the European Tour. Now, the criteria for being a member of the European Tour is to play four events. Why should they change that now?

"I've been a member of the PGA Tour and still played four events on the European Tour, and why would the European Tour change their rules so dramatically because another tour doesn't like it or feels financially threatened? There's just a bit too much protection going on for my liking and not enough transparency. I think as long as you fulfil the criteria to be a member, then you should still have the opportunity to try and qualify for the Ryder Cup team."

As for Sergio Garcia he did his usual trick is saying very little in as few words as possible.

"I hope that I still have the possibility, as I'm sure (Kaymer and Westwood) do, too, to be a part of a few more Ryder Cup teams but that's not going to depend on us now. We'll just keep our fingers crossed."