Tag: Marco Simone

‘I think we’re back’: Padraig Harrington has high praise for Luke Donald and his European Ryder Cup team

“I believe we’re back to the ’80s, the ’70s where our top players are actually the best players in the world.”

Padraig Harrington watched European Ryder Cup skipper Luke Donald make his six captain’s picks for the 2023 matches later this month and wasn’t surprised by the selections.

He was only surprised that Donald called him the day prior.

“I did get a very polite phone call from Luke telling me I wasn’t getting picked. I think that was polite rather than necessary,” Harrington quipped ahead of this week’s 2023 Horizon Irish Open on the DP World Tour.

“I think Europe is very strong this year. I think we’re back,” he continued. “I believe we’re back to the ’80s, the ’70s where our top players are actually the best players in the world.”

The Europeans currently have three of the top-five players in the world on their 12-man roster bound for Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Italy, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, but as a former captain himself, Harrington knows the importance of depth and the dangers of being a top-heavy side.

“We need a strong pool of players so that some of the very top players can be rested for the singles. I think that’s the most important thing is that all the players play well,” said Harrington, whose European side was historically beaten 19-9 by the Americans two years ago at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. “We have the best players at the top for sure, but we need all of them to play well so the best players can sit out at least one match.”

43rd Ryder Cup
Vice-captain Luke Donald and captain Padraig Harrington walk across the fifth hole during practice rounds prior to the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 23, 2021, in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

To his core Harrington believes he had a good team with a great attitude in 2021, result aside. If you ask him what happened, he’ll say the COVID-19 year was the difference maker.

“I think we just caught it on our turndown, their upturn. That one extra year of COVID, our team went from peaking to slightly off and never could come back,” he explained. “The U.S. team were peaking. That extra year got them into a great place. Many of the players were probably at their very peak in the U.S. at that stage. If you start looking at the names now with two years of hindsight, they were at the top of their game and the Europeans are only coming into that now.”

Here’s how each roster stacks up with two different ranking systems: the points-based Official World Golf Ranking and the head-to-head Golfweek/Sagarin ranking (more on that here).

U.S. roster and rankings

Player OWGR GW/Sagarin
Scottie Scheffler 1 1
Patrick Cantlay 5 6
Xander Schauffele 6 2
Max Homa 7 10
Brian Harman 9 38
Wyndham Clark 10 9
Jordan Spieth 12 47
Brooks Koepka 15 N/A
Collin Morikawa 19 15
Sam Burns 20 30
Justin Thomas 25 60
Rickie Fowler 26 7

European roster and rankings

Player OWGR GW/Sagarin
Rory McIlroy 2 3
Jon Rahm 3 4
Viktor Hovland 4 5
Matt Fitzpatrick 9 32
Tyrrell Hatton 13 8
Tommy Fleetwood 14 13
Sepp Straka 23 110
Justin Rose 34 37
Shane Lowry 37 56
Robert MacIntyre 54 73
Nicolai Hojgaard 78 62
Ludvig Aberg 90 12

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European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald on picking ‘cool cucumber’ Ludvig Aberg, a 23-year-old rookie

Donald said two of his rookies are the future of European golf as he explained his captain’s picks.

It’s been a big two days for Ludvig Aberg.

On Sunday, the 23-year-old rising star from Sweden earned his first professional victory on the DP World Tour at the 2023 Omega European Masters. A few hours later Monday morning he was selected as one of Luke Donald’s six captain’s picks for the upcoming 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy.

“He is the latest winner on the DP World Tour and showed yesterday (in Switzerland) that he has the potential to be one of golf’s superstars,” said Donald as he announced the pick.

Aberg won the 2023 Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in Crans Montana, Switzerland, in just his sixth professional start on the European-based circuit. The former No. 1 amateur and four-year star at Texas Tech became the first player in history to earn PGA Tour membership via PGA Tour University earlier this season and made his pro debut at the RBC Canadian Open. This season on Tour, the former star at Texas Tech has four top-25 finishes in seven starts, including a T-4 at the John Deere Classic.

“If you would have told me a couple of months ago that I was gonna be in these conversations I probably wouldn’t have believed you,” said Aberg. “Obviously super, super fortunate to be in this position and I can’t thank the captain and the vice-captains enough.”

“It’s been quite a lot these last couple of months but it’s been so exciting and I can’t wait for Rome.”

“I really do have a lot of faith and belief in Ludvig. I think he’s a generational player. He’s gonna be around a long time and he’s gonna do amazing things,” Donald added. “If he wasn’t going to play this one, he was going to play the next eight Ryder Cups. That’s how good I think he is.”

“He proved to us on Sunday with his grit and determination, he’s such a cool cucumber, too,” Donald continued. “He just goes about his business so easily and doesn’t take much time. He has a great way about him.”

Donald played with Aberg in Detroit earlier this summer at the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic and “was blown away by his game.” As the young Swede continued to progress, Donald challenged him to go to Europe and play a few weeks.

More: Meet the 12 players and captains representing Team Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy

“He showed his mettle by committing to come over here the last two weeks,” Donald said. “If he didn’t perform very well then it would have been a different story, but he did. He performed when he needed to.”

The hype around Aberg and the Ryder Cup started with his early success on Tour and blossomed with the Rocket Mortgage pairing. Donald and Co. may have foreshadowed his selection last week when Aberg was paired with European vice captains Nicolas Colsaerts and Edoardo Molinari for the first two rounds at the European Masters.

Aberg will be one of four debutants for Donald’s side in Italy alongside Nicolai Hojgaard, Robert MacIntyre and Sepp Straka.

“I think it’s fine to have rookies in a Ryder Cup. My first one in 2004, you always want that chance to shine. I think 2004 we had five rookies and you know how that result ended,” said Donald, referring to Europe’s 18½-9½ shellacking of the Americans at Oakland Hills in Michigan. “There’s nothing wrong in having these young fresh guys going in there to battle. They are a strong pedigree of golfers, (Aberg), Nicolai, these are the future of European golf.”

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‘You just don’t leave JT at home’: Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson on why he picked Justin Thomas

Thomas is 6-2-1 in two previous Ryder Cup appearances for Team USA.

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One of the biggest questions facing United States Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson was whether or not to bring an out-of-form Justin Thomas to Italy for next month’s event.

Johnson announced his six captain’s picks to complete his 12-player team bound for Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, and Thomas was one of them.

“His passion for the Ryder Cup is very evident,” said Johnson during a press conference after making his selection. “In my mind, he was born for this and you just don’t leave JT at home.”

The 30-year-old former world No. 1 will make his third appearance for the red, white and blue next month near Rome and will look to improve on an already stellar 6-2-1 record.

MORE: Check out Team USA’s Ryder Cup uniforms

“I’ve been very fortunate to play with some good friends of mine that I feel like I know well,” said Thomas, “that I’m not only comfortable around but I feel like I can do my best to try to bring the best out of them.”

“One of the most talented players on the PGA Tour in my opinion,” added Johnson. “(Thomas) has without question been the heart and soul of Team USA at Ryder Cups. Our emotional leader, I would say, and I don’t think he would argue with that. He just leads by example.”

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Meet the 12 players and captains representing Team USA at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy

Get to know the 12 players on Team USA for the 2023 Ryder Cup.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Team USA.

After the conclusion of the 2023 BMW Championship the six automatic qualifiers for the U.S. team bound for Marco Simone Golf and Country Club and the 2023 Ryder Cup were confirmed. Following the Tour Championship, captain Zach Johnson announced his six captain’s picks that would join the team near Rome, Italy.

Of the 12 players on the roster, four will make their debut in the biennial event against the Europeans, who haven’t lost on home soil since 1993.

Get to know all 12 players and the captains who will represent the red, white and blue in the 44th playing of the Ryder Cup.

MORE: Check out Team USA’s Ryder Cup uniforms

Ralph Lauren unveils Team USA uniforms for 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome

The Ralph Lauren Ryder Cup collection will be available for purchase beginning Aug. 16 at RalphLauren.com and other retailers.

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Since 2014, Ralph Lauren has been the official uniform provider for the United States Ryder Cup team as well as the U.S. team’s caddies, spouses and partners.

They will continue with this tradition for the highly anticipated 2023 Ryder Cup, set to take place at the picturesque Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy.

This partnership marks a convergence of timeless elegance and athletic prowess, as Ralph Lauren’s iconic designs will grace a great group of athletes and supporters.

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Drawing inspiration from the rich heritage of both golf and the Ryder Cup itself, Ralph Lauren’s crafted uniforms are poised to evoke a sense of unity and camaraderie among the competitors while paying homage to the red, white and blue.

Ralph Lauren created a bespoke tailoring experience for an array of professional golfers, caddies and PGA executives at this year’s PGA Championship in Rochester, N.Y. to ensure all U.S. team members are fitted with custom-tailored uniforms and apparel upon arrival in Rome.

Ryder Cup 2023 - Team USA
Ryder Cup 2023 – Team USA. (Ralph Lauren)

The brand will provide the U.S. team with uniforms, outerwear and tailored clothing to be worn during the Opening Ceremony and Welcome Dinner as well as upon arrival and during play.

From the meticulously tailored blazers to the performance-driven polo shirts, each piece seamlessly combines form and function, ensuring that the athletes not only look their best but play as good as they look.

 

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Each garment is constructed with high-quality tech fabrics with moisture-wicking properties, stretch and enhanced airflow. Polo shirts are designed for any swing, while pants are lightweight and flexible.

RL always has key layering and inclement-weather pieces. This event will include a cashmere hoodie, cricket sweater, half-zip pullovers, three-layer rain gear and packable windbreaker for whatever weather Rome has in store. 

There are two products exclusive to the Ryder Cup Official Uniforms including a lightweight tech half-zip featuring a new star ombre embossed pattern and five-pocket tailored trousers embossed with an assortment of motifs synonymous with the competition.

U.S. team captain Zach Johnson and vice captain Davis Love III are both Ralph Lauren ambassadors and these uniforms will hit close to home as they are used to supporting the iconic brand.

The 2023 Ryder Cup is set to be a showcase of high-level competition against the United States and Europe but also a celebration of style and sportsmanship, elevated by Ralph Lauren’s timeless touch.

The Ralph Lauren Ryder Cup collection will be available for purchase beginning Aug. 16 at RalphLauren.com and other retailers.

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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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Jose Maria Olazabal named vice captain for 2023 European Ryder Cup team

Olazabal joins Thomas Bjorn, Edoardo Molinari and Nicolas Colsaerts as vice captains for Donald.

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Luke Donald has turned to one of the most experienced European Ryder Cuppers for his latest vice captain pick.

Jose Maria Olazabal was announced Wednesday as Donald’s fourth vice captain for the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone in Rome, Italy. The competition is set for Sept. 26-Oct. 1.

The 57-year-old Spaniard represented Europe on seven occasions from 1987 to 2006. He has also been a vice captain three times in 2008, 2010 and 2014. Olazabal also was the captain for the incredible European comeback at Medinah in 2012.

In his seven Ryder Cup appearances as a player, which yielded three wins and a tie in 1989, Olazabal played 31 times, winning 18 of those matches and earning 20.5 points. His partnership with Seve Ballesteros remains one of, if not the, best in Ryder Cup history, as the Spanish duo won 12 points from their 15 outings together.

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“With my previous experiences in the Ryder Cup, I am obviously thrilled to be back involved once again,” Olazabal said in a release. “I am really looking forward to feeling that special adrenaline flow, the intensity and the electricity that only the Ryder Cup can bring – I’m really excited to be part of it all again. “It was a very nice surprise to be asked by Luke. I didn’t expect it but I was delighted when the call came. My role will be the same as the rest of the vice captains, namely to support and help Luke and the 12 players in any way we can, so they can perform at their best and be able to win that trophy back.”

Olazabal joins Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, Italian Edoardo Molinari and Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts as vice captains for Donald.

“When you think of Jose Maria Olazabal, you immediately think of the Ryder Cup. He brings amazing passion and I couldn’t be more excited to have him on board,” Donald said. “He was my captain when I last played in the Ryder Cup – at Medinah in 2012 – and I thoroughly enjoyed playing for him that year. He picked me to play number one in the singles, and that was hugely gratifying.”

Olazabal has 33 professional wins worldwide, including 23 on the European Tour from 1986 to 2005. He is best remembered for his two Masters triumphs at Augusta National – in 1994 and 1999 – the second being especially emotional as it came in the wake of fears that rheumatoid arthritis might mean he would never play professionally again.

Zach Johnson names final Team USA vice captain for 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy

Johnson’s staff also includes Steve Stricker, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk and Fred Couples.

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The Ryder Cup news keeps on rolling.

On the same day a second player punched his ticket to Italy to represent Team USA at the 2023 Ryder Cup, the PGA of America announced that U.S. captain Zach Johnson had named Stewart Cink as his fifth and final vice captain for the biennial matches against the Europeans, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club near Rome.

Cink will join the backroom staff that includes Steve Stricker, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk and Fred Couples.

“Stewart is someone I can trust will give me honest and constructive feedback as we head into the final stages of preparing for the Ryder Cup,” said Johnson via a press release. “And as everyone saw at The Open Championship this year, he’s still competing at a high level on the golf course. He will play a critical role in our success as we head to Italy.”

This year will mark Cink’s first time as a vice captain. The 50-year-old played in five previous Ryder Cups (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010), where he compiled a 5-7-7 record (1-3-1 in Sunday singles).

“Competing in the Ryder Cup has been one of the highlights of my entire career and I’m ready to do whatever it takes to help Zach and the U.S. Team retain the Ryder Cup,” said Cink. “I’m honored that Zach would entrust me to play a role in helping make that a reality in Italy.”

Scottie Scheffler and Wyndham Clark have already qualified for Team USA. Those still vying for a spot on the U.S. team can earn points through the 2022 BMW Championship, the second of three FedEx Cup Playoff tournaments. The top six eligible players on the points list at that time will make the U.S. team. The final six spots will be captain’s picks that will be announced after the Tour Championship.

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Team USA announces second automatic qualifier for 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy

The 29-year-old has seven top-10 and 12 top-25 finishes this season including a major.

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Wyndham Clark’s breakout year on the PGA Tour has now officially earned him a spot on the 2023 Ryder Cup team.

The 2023 U.S. Open champion will represent the red, white and blue when the Americans take on the Europeans in the biennial bash at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club near Rome, Italy, Oct. 29-Sept. 1, and joins world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler as the first two players to qualify for Team USA.

The 29-year-old has seven top-10 and 12 top-25 finishes this season on Tour with wins at the U.S. Open and Wells Fargo Championship. He previously represented the U.S. at the 2014 Palmer Cup where he earned one point out of four and lost to Jon Rahm, 4 and 3, in Saturday singles.

Those still vying for a spot on the U.S. team can earn points through the 2022 BMW Championship, the second of three FedEx Cup Playoff tournaments. The top six eligible players on the points list at that time will make the U.S. team. The final six spots will be captain’s picks by Zach Johnson and will be announced after the Tour Championship.

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Scottie Scheffler earns first spot on Team USA for 2023 Ryder Cup

Scheffler made his first Ryder Cup appearance in 2021 where he compiled a 2-0-1 record.

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Scottie Scheffler better start brushing up on his Italian.

The world No. 1 has punched his ticket as the first of 12 players on Team USA for the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome, Italy, Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

“The experience I had at the Ryder Cup two years ago in Wisconsin is something I will never forget and something I can’t wait to replicate in September,” said Scheffler, who was formally announced as the team’s first automatic qualifier on Wednesday. “Zach’s an amazing leader and I’m ready to do whatever it takes to help him, and our team bring the Ryder Cup back home to the United States.”

“What can I say about Scottie that hasn’t already been said,” said U.S. captain Zach Johnson. “He’s an amazing talent on the golf course, and someone that I know will do whatever is asked of him at the Ryder Cup with a smile on his face. He’s incredibly passionate about the Ryder Cup, and it’s nice to have the World No. 1 on the U.S. Team this year.”

Last season was Scheffler’s coming out party as the Texan earned four wins, including his first major at the Masters, as well as four runner-up finishes and 11 top 10s. The 27-year-old has kept the party going this season with two more wins and an astounding 13 top-five finishes in 20 events.

Scheffler made his first Ryder Cup appearance in 2021 where he compiled a 2-0-1 record, including a Sunday singles win against Jon Rahm, 4 and 3.

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