Ryder Cup captains Zach Johnson, Luke Donald to play in Zurich Classic

As usual, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans is expected to have a strong international presence when the PGA Tour event returns later this month.

It will certainly have a Ryder Cup feel to it after Fore!Kids Foundation CEO Steve Worthy released the latest team commitments for the April 20-23 event at TPC Louisiana.

Worthy announced Tuesday morning that the 2023 Ryder Cup captains — Zach Johnson for the U.S. team and Luke Donald of the European team — have committed to play in the $8.6 million tournament.

Both captains will pair with one of their vice captains that will assist them at the 44th Ryder Cup, which will be played Sept. 29-Oct. 1 in Rome.

While preparing for the world’s premier team event, which includes scouting potential pairings, Johnson will pair with Steve Stricker and Donald and Edoardo Molinari will team up for the Zurich Classic — the PGA Tour’s only two-man team tournament.

“This is a first for us, to have both Ryder Cup captains and their vice captains in our field this year,” Worthy said. “We are excited to connect the opportunity of our team format with the two captains as they prepare for the Ryder Cup.”

Johnson has won 12 times on the PGA Tour, including two majors — the 2007 Masters and 2015 British Open. He’s 12th all-time on the PGA Tour career money list.

Johnson has played on nine American teams, representing the U.S. on five Ryder Cup teams and on four Presidents Cup teams.

He last played in New Orleans in 2018 when he partnered with Jonathan Byrd to tie for 15th.

Stricker has also won 12 times on the PGA Tour, including the World Match Play Championship, Memorial Tournament and Tournament of Champions.

He’s appeared on five Presidents Cup teams and was a part of three Ryder Cup teams. Stricker, who was a regular participant in New Orleans’ PGA Tour event, now plays on the Champions Tour.

Donald once spent 56 weeks ranked No. 1 in the world, which is the seventh-longest streak of all time.