Team USA has not achieved a Ryder Cup victory on European soil for 30 years, and now it will have to do so without Tiger Woods at the gates of Rome. German players are missing, but tension will still be high from Friday (September 29th, 2023).
Where is the game played?
The huge event takes place at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: The facility is located a few kilometers northeast of the gates of Rome. Directly by the fairways there are numerous pine trees and the country houses typical of Italy, with clay-colored facades and slightly sloping roofs with red tiles. From some of the trains you can see the Eternal City and even the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Who is favorite?
Clearly the USA, although the Americans have not won a victory on European soil in three decades. Two years ago in the US state of Wisconsin, captain Zach Johnson’s team gave the Europeans a lesson and triumphed 19:9. Looking at the world rankings and the nominated players on both teams, the USA will once again be the clear favorite in the race this year.
Are German players at the start?
No. Mannheim’s Yannik Paul, who narrowly missed out on direct qualification, was not taken into account by European captain Luke Donald. Martin Kaymer has had great success in the Ryder Cup.
But after wrist surgery, the Mettmann native delivered disappointing results on the controversial LIV tour this season and was consequently not nominated for the European team. Stephan Jäger, 91st in the world rankings, had no chance, as did Hurly Long (150th), Max Kieffer (164th) and Marcel Siem (184th).
Is Tiger Woods fit again?
No. Tiger Woods is still dealing with the effects of a 2021 car accident and underwent further surgery on his right leg this year. According to US captain Zach Johnson, he will. “Shake along at home in front of the TV, shout his team forward, he will send endless motivational text messages to Rome.”
Johnson continued: “He is always on our side. He is there to encourage us. He is the best player of our generation. We will use his knowledge and his wisdom and his openness and his passion as best we can.”
Who plays for the USA?
Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Xander Schauffele secured their participation for the US team via the world rankings. Captain Zach Johnson also nominated Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka and Sam Burns.
Scottie Scheffler in action.
Who plays for Europe?
On September 4th, European captain Luke Donald announced the final squad for the 44th continental comparison with the USA. He distributed the last six places to Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose (both England), Sepp Straka (Austria), Shane Lowry (Ireland), Nicolai Højgaard (Denmark) and Ludvig Aberg (Sweden). Jon Rahm (Spain), Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), Viktor Hovland (Norway), Robert MacIntyre (Scotland), Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton (both England) had previously qualified for the European squad via the rankings.
Who deserves special attention in Team Europe?
Rory McIlroy and Ludvik Aberg. The pressure on Ludvig Aberg in Rome is enormous. Never before has a newcomer to the European team caused so much excitement and optimism in the run-up to a Ryder Cup. The young man from the southern Swedish town of Eslöv is praised as a “generational talent and future superstar”.
From Friday, the 23-year-old hopeful will be working with stars Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm to restore Europe’s honor against the favored US team on golf’s biggest stage. In the world rankings, the Swede catapulted himself from position 3,064 to 80th within nine months.
Golfer Ludvig Aberg in action.
Superstar Rory McIlroy experienced a debacle two years ago in the biggest defeat in the history of the Ryder Cup in Whistling Straits (9:19) – and burst into tears in front of the cameras afterwards. Now the Northern Irishman says full of euphoria: “The Ryder Cup is the biggest platform we have in golf, the biggest stage. It’s about doing yourself justice, but also playing for others. We don’t get a cent, but all or nothing.”
Where are the teams in the world rankings?
All twelve American players are in the top 30 in the current world rankings, with Scottie Scheffler leading the guard at number 1. The European team, on the other hand, also includes talents such as the Swede Ludvik Aberg and the Norwegian Nicolai Hojgaard, who are listed in positions 80 and 81. But Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm are Scheffler’s direct pursuers. in world rankings 2 and 3.
