Ryder Cup 2023: Golf’s ultimate showdown now underway in Italy
In the realm of international golf, the Ryder Cup stands as a pinnacle of competition, camaraderie, and sportsmanship. As autumn’s golden hues sweep over the greens, the 44th edition of the Ryder Cup is now underway in Italy, at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio, near the historic city of Rome. Originally scheduled for the autumn of 2022, the eagerly anticipated event had to wait its turn due to the unforeseen challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Day One Action at the 2023 Ryder Cup (Friday Sept. 29th)
On the first day of the tournament, Europe got off to a strong start by winning all four matches against the United States. The first session of the day featured foursomes, where each team of two golfers plays with one ball, taking alternate shots. In this format, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood secured a victory for Team Europe by winning their match 2 & 1 against Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele. Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka also contributed to Europe’s lead by defeating Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa 2 & 1. Ludvig Åberg and Viktor Hovland further extended Europe’s advantage by defeating Max Homa and Brian Harman 4 & 3. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton built an early lead for Team Europe by winning the first match against Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns.
The second session of the day was fourballs, where each golfer plays with their own ball, and the best score from each team is taken. This format adds another layer of excitement to the competition. The European team continued to dominate in this session, securing victories in all four matches. The outstanding performance of Team Europe on day one has put them in a strong position heading into the next two days of play.
The first team to reach 14.5 points over the three days of play will win the Ryder Cup. If the 28 matches end in a 14-14 tie, the team holding the Ryder Cup (in this case, the United States) will retain the trophy.
Second day, Saturday september 30th, at the Ryder Cup
See later same day
Final Day October 1st at the Ryder Cup
See later same day
About the Ryder Cup tournament, background and format
The Ryder Cup, a biennial tradition, is more than just a golf tournament; it’s a battle between continents, a clash of titans representing Europe and the United States. The stakes are high, the pride is palpable, and the journey to securing a spot on the respective teams is a story of dedication, skill, and perseverance.
Holding the title of the reigning champion, the United States earned their victory in the previous iteration of the Ryder Cup in 2021. Their triumph, with a commanding scoreline of 19-9 over Team Europe at Whistling Straits, marked them as the ones to beat in the upcoming tournament.
Full Overview of the Ryder Cup 2023 Teams
The 2022-23 PGA Tour season reached its climax when Viktor Hovland was victorious at the PGA Tour Championship on August 27, 2023. But now the focus is on something even bigger: Ryder Cup 2023.
The Ryder Cup is golf’s showdown, pitting the best from the United States against Europe’s elite. This is the moment when rivalries blossom and the drama reaches new heights. Team USA and Team Europe is set to battle it out for the chance to host the trophy at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Italy.
Each team consists of 13 skilled players, including six automatic qualifiers and six captain’s picks. Both Zach Johnson, the captain of Team USA, and, Luke Donald, the European team captain has finalized their selections.
Zach Johnson and Luke Donald, 2023 Captains of Team USA and Team Europe at a Ryder Cup media event
Zach Johnson faced a difficult task: selecting the six captains’ picks based on a mix of experience and potential. The decision was not made easier by the changing PGA Tour dynamics and Brooks Koepka’s blazing performance. The captain of Team USA made his final picks on August 29.
On the European side, Luke Donald has put together a solid roster as well. The final picks and were announced on September 4.
USA Ryder Cup team 2023
Zach Johnson – Captain
Scottie Scheffler – Automatic qualifier
Wyndham Clark – Automatic qualifier
Brian Harman – Automatic qualifier
Patrick Cantlay – Automatic qualifier
Max Homa – Automatic qualifier
Xander Schauffele – Automatic qualifier
Brooks Koepka – Captain’s pick
Jordan Spieth – Captain’s pick
Rickie Fowler – Captain’s pick
Collin Morikawa – Captain’s pick
Justin Thomas – Captain’s pick
Sam Burns – Captain’s pick
The European 2023 Ryder Cup team
Luke Donald – Captain
Rory McIlroy – Automatic qualifier
Jon Rahm – Automatic qualifier
Matt Fitzpatrick – Automatic qualifier
Viktor Hovland – Automatic qualifier
Tyrrell Hatton – Automatic qualifier
Robert MacIntyre – Automatic qualifier
Tommy Fleetwood – Captain’s pick
Sepp Straka – Captain’s pick
Justin Rose – Captain’s pick
Shane Lowry – Captain’s pick
Nicolai Hojgaard – Captain’s pick
Ludvig Aberg – Captain’s pick
Ryder Cup 2023 is upon us and the golf world is holding its breath. With all the top talent and intense rivalries, this edition of the Ryder Cup will undoubtedly go down in history. So let’s see which team will rise to the top and take home the trophy.
Host selection for 2023 edition
The path to hosting the Ryder Cup is an arduous one, involving meticulous planning, anticipation, and a healthy dose of friendly competition among nations. The journey to secure the privilege of hosting the 44th Ryder Cup began on June 23, 2014, when the bidding process was initiated. A deadline was set for interested countries to officially express their intent by August 31 of the same year. The expressions of interest had to be endorsed either by a central government or a national golf governing body. After a thorough evaluation of the contenders, Rome emerged victorious on December 14, 2015, clinching the honor of hosting the prestigious event. Italy’s victory in this selection process was no small feat, as it triumphed over strong competitors such as Germany, Austria, and Spain.
The road to Ryder Cup 2023
The composition of the teams is a dynamic blend of rankings and selections, making the event a true testament to the world’s golfing elite. For the United States team, the top six players in the points rankings are guaranteed a spot, along with six captain’s picks. This unique combination of performance-based selection and discretionary choices ensures a lineup that embodies both the spirit of competition and strategic decision-making.
Ryder Cup Team USA
On the European side, the lineup is equally captivating. The top three players from the European Points List, along with the top three players from the World Points List, secure their positions. Joining them are six captain’s picks, rounding out a 12-player squad that epitomizes Europe’s finest golf talent.
The road to securing a spot in the Ryder Cup is a long and winding one, with players vying for their positions over an extended period. Qualification begins well in advance, with players earning points from 2022 onwards. The tension reaches its peak after the second FedEx Cup Play-Off event, the BMW Championship, which concludes on August 20, 2023. At this juncture, the top six players on the points list earn their coveted places in the U.S. Team. The remaining slots, a total of six, are reserved for Captain’s Selections, a decision that will be unveiled by the U.S. Team’s captain after the culmination of the 2023 Tour Championship.
On the European front, the qualification process is set in motion at the prestigious 2022 BMW PGA Championship, a prominent event within the Rolex Series. This pivotal competition, scheduled from September 8-11 at the Wentworth Club, marks the beginning of Europe’s journey towards assembling a formidable team. The culmination of this endeavor occurs on September 3, 2023, a full three weeks before the Ryder Cup commences. At this juncture, the six automatic qualifiers emerge, with three leading players each from the European Points List and the World Points List, forming the core of Team Europe. The final composition of the squad rests in the hands of European Captain Luke Donald, who will choose six Captain’s Picks to complete the roster and gear up for the ultimate showdown against the United States.
The Ryder Cup unfolds over three intense days, each designed to showcase the players’ versatility and teamwork. The first two days comprise thrilling sessions of fourball and foursomes, while the final day is reserved for the captivating drama of 12 singles matches. This progression of formats ensures that every facet of golfing expertise is put to the test, from precision shots in pairs to the unrelenting pressure of one-on-one encounters.
As the Ryder Cup 2023 draws near, golf aficionados and casual fans alike are brimming with excitement. The exquisite backdrop of Italy’s enchanting landscapes, the allure of the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, and the anticipation of witnessing golf’s finest from two continents collide in an unforgettable spectacle all add up to a crescendo of exhilaration. With the spirit of competition burning brightly and the legacy of past Ryder Cups propelling them forward, the teams from Europe and the United States are poised to etch their names in golfing history, leaving an indelible mark on the storied tradition of the Ryder Cup.
Where was Ryder Cup 2021 played?
The Ryder Cup 2020 was rescheduled to Sept. 2021 and was held at Whistling Straits Golf Club in Kohler, Wisconsin, USA. USA won big time.
Whistling Straits golf club, Ryder Cup
We invite you to come back often here at read more about Ryder Cup and golf places to travel to all over the world.
Who were the Ryder Cup captains 2021?
In February 2019 the European captain was already known. Padraig Harrington has been named as the European Captain for The 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin in September 2021.
The three-time Major Champion has an illustrious Ryder Cup career. He has represented Europe 6 times as a player, out of which his team won 4 times. He has been vice-captain 3 times, so it is an experienced captain to be.
Here is the official video about the announcement:
Who was the captain of the US Ryder Cup team 2021?
Steve Stricker was selected as captain of the US Ryder Cup team in the match against Europe, at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.
Stricker himself is from Wisconsin and has played three Ryder Cups in a row. (2008, ‘10, ‘12). A very well-liked and mature captain who speaks effortlessly to everyone.
Ryder Cup played 2021: The Whistling Straits Golf Club in Kohler
The Whistling Straits added another chapter of major g9lf significance to an already impressive history. The famous golf course is in Wisconsin, right next to Lake Michigan. But it is always in perfect condition already as a well established PGA course. See a drone fly over the course here:
Ryder Cup 2018 in France
The French golf course le National, located in Paris Ile-de-France approx. 25 km from Paris has marked itself on the world map for golf, with holding of the Ryder Cup in the autumn of 2018. It was huge for the course, Paris and the golf world. France until then was slightly overlooked golf nation for golfers looking for a good golfing trip. It was undeserved, because the fantastic travel country actually has excellent courses, both in the north and south on, for example. along the Riviera. Ryder Cup changed that with one almost magic stroke. As the world’s third largest sporting event, when Europe was playing against the United States in golf, media coverage and spectator numbers always are massive.
Ryder Cup 2018 at Le Golf National in France
Ryder Cup 2018 was held at Le Golf National 3 days from September 29th. The course has room for 80,000 spectators. The Albatros championship course at Le Golf National is designed by the architects Hubert Chesneau and Robert Von Hagge. The golf course has a good variety in design and has one of the most difficult holes in the world. The difficult 18th hole is feared for the tee off shot to the green, which is located on a small island. It is only the second time in Ryder Cup’s history that continental Europe was hosting the tournament.
Best golf courses close to Paris
Some of the best and most well-known golf courses in and around Paris Ile-de-France: North of Paris at d’Auvers-sur-Oise and d’Enghien-les-Bains; Golf de Mont Griffon, Golf de l’Isle Adam and Club du Lys-Chantilly East of Paris at Disneyland Paris; Golf DisneylandSouth of Paris at Fontainebleau; Exclusive Golf du Chateau de Cely, Golf de Fontainebleau and Golf Du Chateau D’Augerville West for Paris at Versailles; Le Golf NationalSydvest for Paris Rambouillet; Exclusive Golf de Courson Stade Français and Golf des Yvelines Combine golf with a visit to one of the beautiful castles in the area, enjoy a classic French gastronomic experience and end the night at a cozy jazz club. Let golf, culture, shopping and the lavish French lifestyle go hand in hand when visiting Paris Ill-de-France.
Relevant Golf stories and French vacation inspiration
- Read more about France, for example. about France’s best wines or Tour de France as vacation inspiration?
- Are you into golf trips, then perhaps look here for new golf inspiration. More than 20 golf destinations and golf travel tips
See our theme page Golf Travel first and foremost and get on from there. Or hop directly to a golf destination you want to read about, Spain and Thailand being among the most popular destinations. We have picked some top courses. Just having played one of them on your golf vacation makes a difference in your golf life. - Top golf courses in Thailand
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