The Ryder Cup in golf is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport with some players even being remembered just for their contributions in the competition.
As the wait is almost over for its return, we take a look ahead to the tournament.
As the wait is almost over for its return, we take a look ahead to the tournament.
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00:00 The Ryder Cup has become one of the world's greatest sporting events. Every two years,
00:07 24 of the best players from Europe and the United States go head-to-head in match play competition.
00:14 Drama, tension, incredible golf, camaraderie and sportsmanship are served in equal measure,
00:20 captivating an audience of millions around the world.
00:23 It's an event that transcends sport, yet remains true to the spirit of its founder, Samuel Ryder.
00:29 It's a very special occasion. It's one of the highlights of any golfing calendar.
00:33 I mean, this year, the European team seems to be peaking at just the right time.
00:38 If you looked at two years ago, the team that went to Whistling Straits,
00:41 they only had one guy in the top 13 players in the world. That was John Rahm.
00:46 And now you look at the team this year, they've got three of the top four players in the world,
00:50 in Hovland, McElroy and Rahm. So the European team is in a great spot.
00:55 I think the contest is going to be a lot closer than originally expected.
00:59 I think the US team were just expected to sort of walk all over the Europeans
01:03 after the demolition job that they did on Harrington side two years ago.
01:08 The 2023 Ryder Cup heads to Rome at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club,
01:14 where the course underwent a modern redesign in 2018.
01:18 It focused on creating a golf course specifically with the drama of match play in mind,
01:23 making it a perfect fit for the Ryder Cup.
01:27 Yeah, it's a brilliant course, a beautiful course.
01:29 They played the Italian Open there the last few years.
01:32 It really is built for match play, so that should be testing on both fronts.
01:36 You've got some drivable par fours. I expect them to grow the rough up a little bit.
01:40 I know the European team like to do that when they have the Americans over.
01:44 Rory McElroy recently said they need to take the wedges out of the Americans' hands.
01:48 So that gives a little bit of hint into what they're going to do here.
01:51 I think Rory said they want to make it into a driving and a mid-iron contest.
01:55 So that seems to be the European plan on the course.
01:58 So it should be an interesting one.
02:00 Members of Team USA boast winning three of the four major trophies available on the singles calendar this year,
02:08 where Team Europe have won the other thanks to Jon Rahm's excellent Masters win earlier in the year.
02:13 So after the teams are set for the tournament, who has the best bet of taking home the trophy?
02:19 Maybe I'm biased, but I do think Europe do have the upper hand.
02:23 You look at they've got three of the four top players in the world at the moment,
02:26 and they've arguably, I think we can all agree on this one,
02:29 they've got the hottest prospect in world golf in Ludwig Eber, who seemingly has erupted out of nowhere.
02:34 Little bits and pieces like that all seem to be falling into place for the European team,
02:39 which I think is going to play a major role.
02:41 But I am European. I am backing them to do it. I think they've got the team to do so.
02:46 A fantastic preview to get golf fans up for this year's Ryder Cup.
02:51 Not that they needed any further encouragement.
02:54 The stage is set, and it's probably as even as it can possibly get as well,
02:58 with the one guarantee that more outstanding golfing moments are on the way.