ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 04: Team Captains Luke Donald of England and Zach Johnson of The United States … [+]
The big winner of the FedExCup Playoffs Sunday was Viktor Hovland, who leads Europe’s 2023 Ryder Cup team. On Tuesday, Team USA Captain Zach Johnson will add the six Captain’s Picks who will join the six other automatic qualifyers when the U.S. looks to win the Ryder Cup for the first time on European soil since 1993.
The 2023 Ryder Cup is Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome. The par 72 course will play to 7,300 yards.
Let’s hope most of the matches go deep into the round because that’s where many notable holes are with Rory McIlroy adding, “The back nine is wonderful for matchplay. You’ve got two drivable par-4s, a few holes with water and a wonderful closing hole (par 5) which could be really exciting.”
What to know about Marco Simone Golf & Country Club
According to current Ryder Cup odds on FanDuel Sportsbook, the U.S. team is favored to win.
- USA (-135)
- Europe (+150)
- Tie (+1200)
Zach Johnson recently told GQ what it means to play in and be a part of the Ryder Cup.
“It is unlike anything I’ve ever been a part of in my profession. It is the best form of competition that I’ve witnessed, that I’ve experienced, that I’ve seen on both sides as far as competing and just witnessing the event.”
United States Vice Captain Davis Love III added, “If you said, Give me your top 10 memories of your career, nine of them are going to be at the Ryder Cup.”
USA Team
United States Captains picks (*) will be finalized on Tues., Aug. 29. Rumblings in the media Monday include the players below (*) expected to be added to the team. All players selected will be updated and included when announced.
- Scottie Scheffler
- Wyndham Clark
- Brian Harman
- Patrick Cantlay
- Max Homa
- Xander Schauffele
- Brooks Koepka (*)
- Justin Thomas (*)
- Jordan Spieth (*)
- Rickie Fowler (*)
- Collin Morikawa (*)
- Sam Burns (*)
Keegan Bradley could be left out after sitting seventh in the Team USA Ryder Cup Standings just ahead of the Open Championship in late July. Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman and Max Homa are all making their Ryder Cup debut.
European Team
The European team will be finalized on Tues., Sept. 5 by European Captain Luke Donald. The top six players are made up of three from the European Points List, and three from the World Points List at the conclusion of the European Masters in Switzerland on Sept.3. The top two from the EP and WP are currently set.
- Rory McIlroy (EP)
- Jon Rahm (EP)
- Viktor Hovland (WP)
- Tyrrell Hatton (WP)
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Sepp Straka
- Robert MacIntyre
- Yannik Paul
- Adrian Meronk
- Victor Perez
- Ludvig Aberg
Ludvig Aberg remains in the mix, and he’s the reigning NCAA Player of the Year who turned pro in June at the Canadian Open.
Yannik Paul and Victor Perez are chasing a final spot in the European Points list behind Robert MacIntyre. They are hopeful Captain’s picks along with Adrian Meronk, who won the 2023 Italian Open held at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club where Victor Perez also finished top 10.
Veteran Shane Lowry remains a Captain’s pick contender along with Justin Rose, who has the most accomplished Ryder Cup record at 13-8-2.
Ryder Cup History
USA 27 wins, Europe 14 wins
Today, the Ryder Cup is golf’s pre-eminent event, biennially bringing together 12-member teams from the U.S. and Europe for glory and pride on a three-day worldwide stage. Spanning 91 years and now 42 competitions, the Ryder Cup also is among the last great professional sporting events where winning, and not prize money, is the reward.
You can bet on it.