This weekend is one that was circled on every golf fan’s calendar all year long. Welcome to Ryder Cup week.
For those who are unaware of what this event is, it is a team match between the United States and Europe that occurs biennially. It is always played in late September/early October, with the venue changing every time.
Europe is the defending champion of the Ryder Cup, winning 16 ½ to 11 ½ in 2023 at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, 10 miles from the city center of Rome, Italy.
This year’s edition will take place on the Black Course of Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, N.Y. The United States has won the previous two home Ryder Cups (2016 and 2021).
Previewing the United States team
The United States team will be headlined by World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Making his third Ryder Cup appearance, the four-time major champion is 2-2-3 in seven matches.
Reigning U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun will make his Ryder Cup debut, along with World No. 3 Russell Henley, World No. 11 Ben Griffin and World No. 20 Cameron Young.
The United States team, captained by 2011 PGA Champion Keegan Bradley, will feature a bunch of veterans in addition to Scheffler.
Two-time major champion Xander Schauffele is set to make his third Ryder Cup appearance. The current World No. 4 is 4-4-0 in eight matches played in the Ryder Cup.
Harris English, No. 10 in the world, is making his second Ryder Cup appearance. The five-time PGA Tour winner went 1-2-0 in three matches in his first appearance.
Two-time U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau will play in the Ryder Cup for the third time. In six matches, the LIV Golf superstar holds a 2-3-1 record.
Two-time PGA Champion Justin Thomas is the most experienced player on the team, making his fourth appearance. The former World No. 1 has found success in his 13 matches played, going 7-4-2.
Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa will represent the United States at the Ryder Cup for the third time. In eight matches, the current World No. 8 has gone 4-3-1.
Patrick Cantlay will make his third Ryder Cup appearance. The 2021 FedEx Cup winner has been electric in the eight matches he has played, with a 5-2-1 record.
Lastly, Sam Burns will make his second consecutive Ryder Cup appearance. The World No. 23 went 1-2-0 in three matches during the 2023 event.
Vice captains for the team include 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson, 2012 FedEx Cup winner Brandt Snedeker, 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk and 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland.
Previewing the European team
Europe looks to win back-to-back Ryder Cups since the 2012 and 2014 editions, with the former being the last time they have won on U.S. soil.
Luke Donald retained his role as team captain, becoming the first to repeat his captaincy since Bernard Gallacher in 1993.
Nearly the entire 2023 team returned in hopes of a second consecutive win in the Ryder Cup.
Rory McIlroy serves as the most experienced member of the team, making his eighth Ryder Cup appearance. In a whopping 33 matches played, the five-time major champion has gone 16-13-4.
World No. 9 Robert MacIntyre will make his second appearance, with a 2-0-1 record in three matches.
Reigning FedEx Cup winner Tommy Fleetwood will make his fourth appearance. The Englishman is 7-3-2 in 12 matches in the event.
Justin Rose, 45 years old, is making his seventh appearance. The 2013 U.S. Open champion is 14-9-3 in 26 matches.
Tyrrell Hatton, like Fleetwood, will make his fourth appearance. Also from England, Hatton is 5-4-2 in 11 matches.
Shane Lowry comes in as the second-oldest member of the team at 38 years old. The former Champion Golfer of the Year makes his third appearance, with a 2-3-1 record in six matches.
Sepp Straka returns from the 2023 team, where the Austrian went 1-2-0 in three matches.
Ludvig Åberg is the youngest member of the team. The 25-year-old from Sweden is 2-2-0 in four matches, all coming from the last Ryder Cup.
Viktor Hovland is one of the more exciting players on the team. The 2023 FedEx Cup winner is making his third appearance. With 10 matches under his belt, Norway’s top golfer holds a 3-4-3 record.
Matt Fitzpatrick makes his fourth appearance on the Ryder Cup team. The 2022 U.S. Open champion has not fared well in his matches, with a 1-7-0 record in eight matches.
Jon Rahm was the final captain’s pick, an easy one for Donald. The two-time major champion makes his fourth appearance, with a 6-3-3 record in 12 matches.
The only new face on this team is Rasmus Højgaard, whose brother, Nicolai, played for Europe two years ago.
Assisting Donald as vice captains are 15-time European Tour winner Thomas Bjørn, 12-time European Tour winner Alex Norén, three-time European Tour winner Edoardo Molinari, World Golf Hall of Famer José María Olazábal and 2018 Champion Golfer of the Year Francesco Molinari.
Schedule
The opening ceremony will take place on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. on Golf Channel.
Friday morning foursomes matches will begin at 7:10 a.m., followed by afternoon four-ball matches at 12:25 p.m. Coverage goes from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and can be viewed on USA Network.
Saturday’s matches will be the same as Friday’s, with coverage on NBC this time.
Sunday, the final day of the Ryder Cup, will have singles matches starting at 12:02 p.m. Coverage will begin at noon and end around 6 p.m. on NBC.
Who is the favorite?
According to DraftKings, the United States is considered the favorite with –150 odds of winning. However, the European team is more experienced and a more talented team on paper.
Final thoughts
It will be interesting to see how Bradley’s choice not to be a playing captain plays out. Will it pay off and the United States get another win on home soil, or will Europe break the streak?