Preview
2023 Ryder Cup Event Info
Starts: 29th September 2023
Course: Marco Simone Golf Club, Italy
Par: 71
Length: 7,255 yards
2023 Ryder Cup Course Info
Designer: European Golf Design
Fairways: Average
Greens: Large
Water Hazards: On 10 holes
Premium on: Driving
Significant Info To Be Aware Of
The course has been host of the Italian Open for a number of years. Be aware that the course will play differently to the previous events staged here.
Weather Forecast
Friday: Sunny. Wind 4-8mph.
Saturday: Sunny. Wind 4-8mph.
Friday: Sunny. Wind 4-8mph.
Stats Analysis
Overall Record
Since continental European players became part of the Ryder Cup, Europe have edged proceedings with an 11-9 record (one match has been tied in that time). Europe have won seven of the last ten encounters.
World Rankings
Team USA have an average world ranking of 12.9 (it was 8.9 in 2021). By contrast, the average world ranking of the European Team is 30 9as it was in 2021). Europe do have three of the world's top four golfers within their ranks though.
Ryder Cup Appearances
Europe possess slightly more experience with 21 cumulative Ryder Cup appearances. America have 17 cumulative appearances.
Rookies
There are four USA Ryder Cup rookies: Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Max Homa and Sam Burns.
Europe have four Ryder Cup rookies in Italy: Robert MacIntyre, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Aberg and Nicolai Hojgaard
Foursomes
2021: USA 6 - 2 Europe
2018: Europe 6 - 2 USA
2016: USA 5.5 - 2.5 Europe
2014: Europe 7 - 1 USA
2012: USA 5 - 3 Europe
2010: Europe 4.5 - 3.5 USA
2008: USA 4.5 - 3.5 Europe
Home advantage counts for a lot in foursomes. The home team has triumphed in the past seven Ryder Cups.
Fourballs
2021: USA 5 - 3 Europe
2018: Europe 4 - 4 USA
2016: USA 4 - 4 Europe
2014: Europe 3 - 5 USA
2012: USA 5 - 3 Europe
2010: Europe 4 - 4 USA
2008: USA 4.5 - 3.5 Europe
It's been incredibly close in fourballs in recent times but it's notable that Europe haven't come out on top in this format in the last seven events. America have won eight of the last 12 fourball sessions.
Singles
2021: USA 8 - 4 Europe
2018: Europe 7.5 - 4.5 USA
2016: USA 7.5 - 4.5 Europe
2014: Europe 6.5 - 5.5 USA
2012: USA 3.5 - 8.5 Europe
2010: Europe 5 - 7 USA
2008: USA 4.5 - 7.5 Europe
The last four singles have been won by the home team. The three prior to that were won by the away team.
Player Analysis (USA)
Justin Thomas
JT is making his 3rd Ryder Cup appearance this week despite having had a poor season by his standards. Top scorer for the American team in Paris in 2018 (4 points) and top scorer for the USA at the 2019 Presidents Cup (3.5 points), he was also 2nd top points scorer at last year's Presidents Cup.
Jordan Spieth
Fifth Ryder Cup for the man who got his career back on track in 2021. With the exception of 2021, he's taken at least 2.5 points from every Ryder Cup he's played in. His Presidents Cup record is also strong, taking a minimum of 2 points every appearance and finishing top USA point scorer at last year's event at Quail Hollow. Paired with Justin Thomas in the first four sessions in the 2018 and 2021 Ryder Cups, he'll likely play with his friend again for the first four sessions this year.
Patrick Cantlay
Cantlay has shown himself to be a formidable matchplay opponent, especially when paired with close friend Xander Schauffele. Joint second top scorer at the last Ryder Cup (he was undefeated), he was also joint 2nd top scorer for the Americans at the 2019 Presidents Cup (3 points) and joint 4th top scorer at last year's Presidents Cup. Played with Xander Schauffele in three of four sessions at that Presidents Cup and looks likely to partner him again.
Brooks Koepka
The only LIV golfer participating in this year's event. Recent matchplay efforts haven't been great, with only 1.5 points from 4 matches at the 2018 Ryder Cup and 2pts from 4 matches at the last Ryder Cup. Worth noting that he was 2nd top scorer for the USA at the 2016 Ryder Cup, but that was pre-Major wins and those appear to have changed his perspective. How does he fit within the team dynamic?
Brian Harman
First Ryder Cup appearance for the diminutive American after winning The Open Championship. Not the longest of hitters but his WGC Matchplay performances over the years show that he's a formidable matchplay opponent. Could be a surprise asset for Team USA this week.
Wyndham Clark
Ryder Cup rookie with little matchplay experience. Often lost his cool earlier in his career so it will be interesting to see how he deals with the pressure cooker atmosphere in Rome.
Max Homa
Another Ryder Cup debutant but impressed at the 2022 Presdents Cup, where he took 4pts from four matches. Topped his group at this year's WGC Matchplay so all signs are that he is comfortable in a matchplay environment.
Xander Schauffele
Three points from five matches at the 2019 Presidents Cup and has followed that up with three points from four matches at the last Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup. His WGC Matchplay record hasn't always been the best but he did reach the quarter finals this year. Level headed and calm (often described as older than his years), he'll likely partner Cantlay in the pairs matches.
Scottie Scheffler
It seems somewhat unbelievable but this time two years ago Scheffler was yet to win on the PGA Tour. This time he comes in as world number one and the man the USA will look to to lead their challenge. Scheffler has had contrasting fortunes when representing the USA so far, scoring 2.5pts from a possible three at the last Ryder Cup but only managing a solitary half from four games at last year's Presidents Cup. However, his WGC Matchplay form has been exceptional and we can put that Presidents Cup performance to one side.
Collin Morikawa
Two time major winner who made his debut in 2021, taking 3.5points from his four matches. Only taken 4.5points from his last nine WGC Matchplay group games which is a worry. However, he did win all four of his games at the 2017 Walker Cup.
Sam Burns
One of six wildcards on the American team after winning the WGC Matchplay earlier this year. Probably needed that Matchplay win to convince his Captain given his poor showing at the 2022 Presidents Cup. Burns played all five matches at Quail Hollow and only picked up one point. He played with world number one Scottie Scheffler in three of the four pairs matches too!
Rickie Fowler
A return to the team for a player who has been incredibly consistent in 2023. Only Jordan Spieth has played on as many Ryder Cups in this American team but Fowler will need to deliver more than he has previously. Three wins from fifteen previous matches is a poor return and more will be required from one of the senior members of the team.
Player Analysis (Europe)
Jon Rahm
Former world number 1 will have to be at his best to give the Europeans any chance. One point from three matches in Paris was a poor return but top scored for Europe at the 2021 Ryder Cup. Missing his previous partner, Sergio Garcia, and will need to deliver a strong points return with a new partner.
Viktor Hovland
The young Norwegian has been in terrific form the past few months, claiming the FedEx Cup in the process. A disappointing Ryder Cup last time out with only one point from five games. Also possesses an un uninspiring WGC Matchplay record (won four and lost five), which doesn't bode well. However, we should remember he won the 2018 US Amateur in impressive fashion. Expected to play the majority of matches.
Tommy Fleetwood
One half of the successful Moliwood partnership from 2018, Tommy wasn't able to repeat those heroics in Wisconsin (1 point from 3 matches). Four points from five matches on his Ryder Cup debut was an incredible effort and he's a man who enjoys the cut and thrust this format brings. A versatile player who would make a good partner for most within the team.
Rory McIlroy
Former world number 1 who will be expected to lead Team Europe. One point from four matches at the last Ryder Cup left him in tears and he'll be determined not to let that happen again. Fourteen points from 28 matches is an acceptable return but certainly not anything to shout about. It's notable that Rory's most productive Ryder Cup partnership came when partnering a rookie (Thomas Pieters). It wouldn't be a surprise to see him paired with one of the rookies this week.
Nicolai Hojgaard
One half of the Hojgaard twins, Nicolai has been in the right place at the right time to earn his Ryder Cup debut. A late invite to the 2021 Italian Open, he would go on to win that event. He then benefited from his brother's withdrawal from the Hero Cup earlier this year. Originally not part of the group of players Luke Donald wanted to look at, Hojgaard impressed by taking 3.5pts from four matches and going undefeated. He'll most likely be used in fourballs where his length will be an enormous asset.
Justin Rose
Didn't play in 2021 but finds himself as the second most experienced European behind Rory McIlroy in terms of Ryder Cup appearances. Rose has taken 14 points from 23 matches at previous Ryder Cups and will likely be a player that Luke Donald relies heavily upon in the foursomes.
Sepp Straka
Two wins on the PGA Tour in the past two years meant that Luke Donald was unable to ignore the Austrian as a captain's pick. One win and five defeats at the WGC Matchplay in the past two years doesn't augur well though.
Robert MacIntyre
A course winner, having won the Italian Open in impressive fashion in 2022. Topped his WGC Matchplay group in 2021 but lost two games out of three in 2022. A missed cut at last week's Irish Open won't have done his confidence any good. Much will depend on who he is paired with on his debut.
Shane Lowry
The 2019 Open Champion needed a captain's pick to make the team and was perhaps slightly fortunate given his weak matchplay record. One point taken from three games on his Ryder Cup debut in Wisconsin wasn't great. A weak record at the WGC Matchplay (won 4, halved 2 and lost 9) isn't overly encouraging either.
Tyrrell Hatton
Only 2.5pts to date from seven Ryder Cup matches for the volatile Englishman. Hatton has failed to live up to the heights of 2020 and his recent form has been poor. In his favour is a reasonable record at the WGC Matchplay. Between 2017-2019 he progressed from his group twice and on the other occasion lost out in a sudden death playoff. Also topped his Matchplay group in 2022 before losing all three games this year.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Matt will be hoping to avenge his poor Ryder Cup record, which reads five losses from five matches. Eight wins and ten defeats from his last 18 matches at the WGC Matchplay suggest he's probably better suited to strokeplay. However, took three points from three matches at the 2013 Walker Cup.
Ludvig Aberg
Made a late charge for the team and looks to be a player who will be a key part of the European Ryder Cup team going forward. His driving will be a huge asset at Marco Simone and he could be a star this week.
Marco Simone GC Quotes
"There's definitely some trickiness to it, a few of the greens are very very undulated and they are quick. If you can't put the ball in the right spot you are really behind the eight ball." Henrik Stenson, 2021.
"I was shocked yesterday at how good the scoring was. I'd only really ever played it in wind and I felt it was a tough test every time." Tommy Fleetwood, 2021.
"It (driving distance) is definitely the biggest strength. There are a lot of bunkers 280-285 meters out and I can carry most of them so I can have short irons for 2nd shots. On 16 I can hit a 3 wood onto the green and it's definitely an advantage." Nicolai Hojgaard, 2021.
"Well, it's quite a big golf course. There are some long holes out there. You know, whether it's similar to, I mean, I heard a few players thought it was somewhat similar to a Celtic Manor. Quite a few drivers off the tee but beautifully presented. When that fescue grass slows up, the different colourations between the fairways and the rough. I think it has sort of a stadium feel a little bit like Paris, a little bit like Celtic Manor where you can create some great vistas for the fans." Luke Donald, 2022
"I just heard that Luke Donald compared it to Celtic Manor. I think there are some similarities." Francesco Molinari, 2022.
"Yeah, similar to Celtic Manor and similar to Gleneagles, a little, too, just warmer, better weather here." Rory McIlroy,2022.
"I played last year, The Italian Open, and the course is pretty challenging. This year, it's more like wet than the last year, and the green are a little bit slower. But I think it's a good challenge to play on this course because the greens are so slopey and big, so it's very -- the key I think is to like miss the shot not in the wrong part of the green because the green are not easy." Filippo Celli, 2022.
"I feel like this week looking at it is you've got to drive the ball well I feel like this week. You give yourself a chance from the fairways. As soon as you're in the rough, you get all sorts of lies, flyers. I think looking at it, if you drive the ball well, give yourself plenty of chances on the greens, you're in with a good shot." Matt Fitzpatrick, 2022.
"Keep the ball in play in the fairway is huge. Because the holes are not short, even in the wind, a few holes we played in the wind, it's the first time I've ever hit driver, 5-wood into a par 4. It's never happened. It was a bit funny. My caddie was laughing. It was tough out there. You kind of have to plot your way around, and the thing you is can't hit 3-wood or 5-wood, you've still got to hit driver. You've got to drive it well." Gavin Green
"You know with that amount of wind there's going to be a real premium on hitting the fairways because you cannot reach a lot of the par 4s if you're in the rough." Scott Jamieson