The Europeans are looking to hold onto 30 years of dominance on their own soil with a star studded roster. Many view them as the favorites, but they do have a few unknowns making Ryder Cup debuts. Let’s take a look at Team Europe.
Rory McIlroy
Let’s start with the most popular man on team Europe, one of the best golfers on the face of the planet. McIlroy is currently the second ranked golfer in the world at 34 years old he’s played in numerous Ryder cups. He had an excellent 2023 season with two wins and 13 top tens, this will be McIlroy’s fifth Ryder Cup and he has a record of 12-12-4, team Europe is going to need him to be better than that record if they’re going to win and retain. If McIlroy figures out his putter this week team USA could be in trouble.
ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe tees off on the 12th hole during a practice round prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 27, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Jon Rahm
Rahm is currently the third ranked golfer in the world but could easily be number one, after another monster season with four wins including the Masters and two second-place finishes. Rahm has a 4-3-1 record in the Ryder Cup. Rahm was known a tremendous golfer already at his last Ryder Cup, but he was known as a little bit of a hot head. If he can keep his emotions in check, Europe’s hopes to retain are greatly improved.
DUBLIN, OHIO – JULY 19: Jon Rahm of Spain celebrates on the 18th green after winning during the final round of The Memorial Tournament on July 19, 2020 at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Justin Rose
Rose missed out on the Ryder Cup in 2021, but after re-finding his form this season he’s back on the team with a solid 13-8-2 record in his previous Ryder Cups. Rose is one of the steadiest players on the planet known for his short game at 43, this could be Rose’s last Ryder Cup so he’ll be looking to make the most of it.
ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Justin Rose of Team Europe plays his shot on the 12th hole during a practice round prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 27, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Shane Lowry
Lowry is currently the 34th ranked golfer in the world. Lowry didn’t have a spectacular season on paper, but he did have a couple top 20 finishes and only missed a few cuts all season. His short game and positive attitude will be a massive asset to Europe.
ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Shane Lowry of Team Europe acknowledges the fans on the 16th tee during a practice round prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 27, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Viktor Hovland
One of the most exciting golfers this season Hovland had three wins and finished top 20 in all four majors, including a runner-up at the PGA championship. Hovland was held winless in his Ryder cup debut in 2021. I doubt team USA will be able to keep him down this time though with his tremendous play. If team Europe’s going to win, they’ll need to lean on Hovland in every session.
ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Viktor Hovland of Team Europe plays a shot from the rough on the second hole during a practice round prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 27, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Tyrell Hatton
Hatton is one of my favorite players, known for his fiery attitude, and seemingly always negative demeanor. Hatton’s coming off another good season with seven top tens and only one missed cut in 21 starts. Similar to Rahm if Hatton can keep his head screwed on straight he’ll be a problem for team USA.
ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Tyrrell Hatton of Team Europe plays from a bunker on the 14th hole during a practice round prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 27, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood is one of the more well liked golfers on both teams. At 32 he had a resurgent season this year finishing with nine top tens. Fleetwood has always had trouble closing tournaments but if he can manage his nerves and find his 2018 Ryder cup form where he scored 4 points for Europe team USA will have a hard time snapping the 30 year drought.
ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 26: Tommy Fleetwood of Team Europe speaks in a press conference during a practice round prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 26, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Mathew Fitzpatrick
Local golf fans will remember Fitzpatrick for his excellent performance in Brookline at the Country Club winning the U.S. Open in 2022. Fitzpatrick has a surprisingly bad Ryder Cup record of 0-5-0 but coming off a win in the 2023 season and six top tens I don’t think he’s going to be held winless again.
DUBLIN, OHIO – MAY 31: Mathew Fitzpatrick of England hits a shot during the second round of The Memorial Tournament Presented By Nationwide at Muirfield Village Golf Club on May 31, 2019 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Ludvig Aberg
Aberg is one of the rising stars in the world of golf if you don’t know who he is now you will after the Ryder Cup. Aberg a former #1 ranked amateur, was in college only a few months ago. He’s already made nine cuts on the PGA tour and won on the DP world tour. Aberg is an unknown when it comes to Ryder Cups but the rookie seems to have nerves of steel. I expect him to be one of the best players on team Europe for the next decade and he’ll look to get off to a hot start in Italy.
ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Ludvig Aberg of Team Europe smiles on the 12th hole during a practice round prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 27, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Sepp Straka
Straka is another one of the more unknown golfer at 30 years old making his Ryder cup debut. Straka has just started to break out winning the John Deere classic and finishing in the top 10 in two of the four majors this season. Straka is another golfer that I wouldn’t expect to see in every session so team USA may look to find some favorable matchups against him.
ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Sepp Straka of Team Europe tees off on the 17th hole during a practice round prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 27, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Robert MacIntyre
MacIntyre was one of the automatic qualifiers for Europe after an outstanding year on the DP world tour. MacIntyre is not well known in the states, but he’s had a great career in Europe already and at 27 he’ll hope this is his first Ryder Cup of many.
ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Robert MacIntyre of Team Europe tees off on the 11th hole during a practice round prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 27, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Nicolas Højgaard
At 22 Højgaard is the youngest of all the Ryder Cup competitors this season. Højgaard is another player American fans might not be familiar with, but he racked up five top fives this season on the DP world tour. I wouldn’t expect Højgaard to play in every session, as the rookie is just getting his feet wet, but he’s a name to watch in the years to come.
CRANS-MONTANA, SWITZERLAND – AUGUST 29: Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark walks with Assistant Ryder Cup captain Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium during a practice round at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club on August 29, 2023 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
