The 2023 Ryder Cup is almost here, with the United States aiming to end a three-decade win drought away from home when they travel to Rome for the 44th edition of the biennial tournament.
While the American team is the reigning champions after a 19-9 win in 2021 at Whistling Straits – and lead the Europeans 27-14 all-time, captain Zach Johnson has history against his USA team when they hit the Marco Simone course for the three-day tournament.
No USA team has won on European soil since 1993, when the visitors edged a 15-13 victory at The Belfry in England.
But this year’s Ryder Cup is set to look very different from previous editions, given the absence of any LIV Golf players from Team Europe – and just one for Team USA.
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Europe is without veterans Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood – with a combined 28 Ryder Cup appearances between them – after all three joined LIV and resigned from the European Tour, making them ineligible for the tournament.
It came after former Masters champion Sergio Garcia, who owns the Ryder Cup record with 28.5 points, reportedly offered to pay £700,000 in fines to the DP World Tour in a last-gasp bid to reinstate his eligibility and make the team as a captain’s pick.
But the Tour rejected his offer, meaning the 2010 vice-captain will be missing from the tournament.
European team’s Jon Rahm labelled his absence ‘really stupid’.
“I think it would be really stupid for anybody not to lean on Sergio García’s experience in The Ryder Cup,” Rahm said. “He is the best player Europe has ever had, won the most points, and he has shown it time and time again.”
But British golf legend Nick Faldo, a former European captain whose 11 Ryder Cup appearances for Europe is an equal-high alongside Westwood, said Team Europe wouldn’t miss Garcia.
Faldo told Golf Today: “You’ve got to be kidding! I think we have got one of the strongest teams we’ve ever had, plus those guys [on the LIV tour] have not played in enough tournaments.
“They’re in a different world now, they have left the Tour and haven’t supported the Tour, so hey, they are done and that’s it. The team has moved on, the game has moved on, and Team Europe is fantastic. I don’t think they could do anything better.”
Brooks Koepka is the only LIV player appearing for Team USA, thanks to a grace period for LIV players that sees them maintain their PGA of America membership until June 2023 – despite being banned from the PGA Tour. His victory in May’s PGA Championship – his fifth major – ‘earned’ his spot on the team as a captain’s pick, according to USA captain Zach Johnson.
Johnson said: “The way I see it, [Koepka] basically earned his way onto the team.
“It was a pretty easy pick. Brooks is great in the team room, great inside the ropes. These guys wanted him. I wanted him. A very natural fit.”
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THE FORMAT
The first two days of competition feature fourball and foursomes matches, while the third day consists of 12 singles matches.
Overall, there are 28 matches in total, each of which is worth one point – while a tie sees a ½ point awarded to both sides.
The first team to reach 14 ½ points wins the Ryder Cup, while defending champions US will retain the cup if it ends 14-14.
THE RULES
FOURBALL
In teams of two, each player plays his own ball. The best individual’s score from each team is recorded, with the lowest score from each team winning the hole. In a tie, the hole is halved.
FOURSOMES
In teams of two, the team shares a ball and their players take turns to hit. They also take turns to hit off the tee – one hits on odd-numbered holes, the other player on even holes.
The team with the best score on each hole wins the hole, while a tie sees the hole halved.
SINGLES
One player from each team, with the player with the lowest score on each hole winning that hole – and a tie seeing the hole halved.
There’s one other crucial rule – players can concede a hole, typically when an opponent is within easy putting range.
THE TEAMS
Each 12-man team is comprised of six players who qualify automatically based on points, plus six captain’s picks.
U.S. Team
Automatic picks: Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark (rookie), Brian Harman (rookie), Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa (rookie), Xander Schauffele
Captain’s picks: Sam Burns (rookie), Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas
European Team
Automatic picks: Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Robert MacIntyre (rookie), Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick
Captain’s picks: Ludvig Aberg (rookie), Tommy Fleetwood, Nicolai Hojgaard (rookie), Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Sepp Straka (rookie).
HOW TO WATCH
Every Ryder Cup match is broadcast on Fox Sports and Kayo.
Day 1 (September 29, 2023):
Morning Foursomes: 3:35 PM AEST
Afternoon Fourball: 8:25 PM AEST
Day 2 (September 30, 2023):
Morning Foursomes: 3:35 PM AEST
Afternoon Fourball: 8:25 PM AEST
Day 3 (October 1, 2023):
Singles Matches: 7:35 PM AEST
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