The PGA Tour Fall schedule picks back up next week, but this week, all eyes will be on Italy and the 2023 Ryder Cup. Team USA faces off against Team Europe in the 44th edition of the biannual event, pitting the best golfers from the United States against the best contingent from Europe.
This year, the Cup returns to European soil and Marco Simone Golf and Country Club just outside of Rome, Italy.
The three-game competition begins on Friday, September 29th, and concludes on Sunday, October 1st. The two teams of twelve will compete for the 28 points available, with one point awarded for each match. Those matches will consist of eight foursome and eight best ball matches, followed by 12 singles contests on the final day of play.
Team USA is the current holder of the Cup after a dominating 19-9 victory at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wisconsin, two years ago. While owning a 27-14-2 overall record, the United States haven’t defeated the European team across the pond since 1993.
Check out the full 2023 Ryder Cup odds over on Bookmaker
Quick Look: Team USA
The United States team is captained by Cup veteran Zach Johnson. The 12-time PGA Tour winner has a solid cast of vice-captains as well, led by Steve Strickler.
The American team consists of six automatic qualifiers and six captain’s picks. The automatic qualifiers earned a spot on the team thanks to their play in major championships, PGA Tour events, and World Golf Championships over the last two years.
For the US, those six qualifiers were Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, and Xander Schauffele. Captain’s picks went to Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Sam Burns, Rickie Fowler, and Justin Thomas.
Clark, Harman, Homa, and Burns are playing in their first Ryder Cup, while Spieth is the veteran on the team with 18 previous matches played.
Quick Look: Team Europe
The Europeans will have the home-field advantage along with a solid team led by Luke Donald. Donald assumed the role of captain of Team Europe once Henrik Stenson was removed from the role last July due to his decision to join LIV Golf.
Qualifying criteria was similar to that of the American team, with six players earning automatic bids thanks to their recent play in big events. Those players include Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Robert MacIntyre. Donald’s captain’s picks went to Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Nicolai Hojgaard, and Ludvig Aberg.
Four players on the European team, MacIntrye, Straka, Hojgaard, and Aberg, are Ryder Cup rookies. McIlroy (28 matches) and Rose (23 matches) are two seasoned veterans of the competition with a combined 11 Ryder Cup appearances between the two.
Betting Odds
The odds are in favor of Team USA, even with the lack of success in Europe. Heading into the week of play, the United States are favored (-120), while you can grab Team Europe at +120.
Individually, Scheffler (+450) is the favorite to team the American’s in total points, and Rahm (+450) is the favorite for the Europeans. For the rookies, Homa (+175) headlines Team USA while Aberg (+140) is the favorite for both Team Europe. Aberg also is favored to be the leading point scorer for all rookies at +275.
