Team Europe runs away with Junior Ryder Cup title at Marco Simone

The Europeans ended a long losing streak.

On the eve of the 44th Ryder Cup, another trophy was handed out on the grounds that the golf world will focus on the next three days.

Team Europe ran away with the Junior Ryder Cup title, ending a streak of six straight losses to the Americans, winning 20½-9½ at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome, Italy. The Europeans dominated singles, winning seven of the 12 singles matches and tying three others to claim 8.5 points on the final day.

Europe took a commanding 12-6 lead after winning all six fourball matches on Wednesday. The teams were tied at 6 after the first day of competition.

A 2014 Ryder Cup player, Stephen Gallacher, led the European squad while PGA past president Paul Levy captained the U.S.

2023 Junior Ryder Cup
European captain Stephen Gallacher holds up the trophy as European players celebrate on the 18th green after winning the Junior Ryder Cup ahead the 44th Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome on September 28, 2023. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

Nicholas Gross and Billy Davis were the lone Americans to win their singles matches on Thursday. Anna Davis, Billy’s twin sister, halved her match, as did Leigh Chien and Kylie Chong.

The first two rounds were held at Golf Nazionale in Rome before moving to Marco Simone for the final round. This was the first year the singles matches were held on a third day and at the site of the current Ryder Cup.

The U.S. now owns a 7-4-1 all-time record in the biennial competition. The team features six boys and six girls who are U.S. citizens and members of the high school graduating class of 2024 or younger.

Anna Davis, Miles Russell highlight 2023 U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team selections

The next wave of talent will get their shot at Marco Simone

The United States Junior Ryder Cup team has been set.

The 12-member co-ed team will compete in the 2023 Junior Ryder Cup from Sept. 26-28 in Rome, Italy. The final day will be at Marco Simone, site of the 2023 Ryder Cup the same week.

Golf Nazionale will be the venue for the first two days of foursomes and fourballs. The 2023 edition of the Junior Ryder Cup marks the first time the event will take place over three days instead of two, with the Ryder Cup venue hosting the decisive singles matches.

The U.S. Team, which is seeking its seventh straight victory and owns a 7-3-1 all-time record in the biennial competition, features six boys and six girls who are U.S. citizens and members of the high school graduating class of 2024 or younger.

The girls selections are: Leigh Chien, Kylie Chong, Gianna Clemente, Anna Davis, Ryleigh Knaub and Yana Wilson. On the boys side, the selections are: Jackson Byrd, Billy Davis, Nicholas Gross, Will Hartman, Jay Leng, Jr. and Miles Russell.

“I am incredibly proud of these 12 exceptional individuals who comprise the 2023 U.S. Junior Ryder Cup Team,” said Paul Levy, the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup Captain. “These players have worked tirelessly to earn a spot on our team and will represent our country with great pride and determination. As we prepare for Rome, I am eager to see our team compete on a worldwide stage and showcase the best of the next generation of U.S. golf.”

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