There are a lot of crowds in Rome these days. © ANSA / Riccardo Antimiani

The Ryder Cup is in Rome: Questions & Answers

The Ryder Cup is golf's biggest show: euphoria and sadness are often only a ball's width apart. The 44th edition of the continental comparison of the twelve best golfers from Europe and the USA promises three days of emotions and passion.

September 29, 2023

From: dpa

Two years ago, the European team was humiliated in Whistling Straits, Wisconsin. From Friday, the hosts want to regain the title from the favorite US stars at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club just outside Rome.

How does the Ryder Cup work?

The Ryder Cup is played in the so-called match competition mode. One point is awarded per match. With 28 points awarded over three days (16 for the foursomes, 12 for the singles), a draw is enough for the defending champion to win. The challenger must achieve at least a 14,5:13,5.

Guests of honor: Novak Djokovic and Carlos Sainz © APA/afp / ANDREAS SOLARO

On Friday and Saturday, two players on the team will compete against each other in four fourball and foursomes matches. In fourball, each golfer plays his own ball into the hole. The lowest shot result is counted as a hole win with 1:0 for the successful team - in case of a draw it is “divided” with 0,5:0,5. This also applies to the “Classic Foursomes” (Foursomes), in which the team players take turns hitting a common ball into the hole. In the twelve individual games on Sunday, every hole won in the man-to-man game also gives one point.

Which golfers are competing for their teams?

Team Europe:
Captain: Luke Donald (England/45 years)
Players: Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland/34 years/world ranking: 2nd) Jon Rahm (Spain/28/3rd), Viktor Hovland (Norway/26/4th), Matt Fitzpatrick (England29/8th), Tyrrell Hatton (England /31/11.), Tommy Fleetwood (England/32/13.), Sepp Straka (Austria/30/22.), Shane Lowry (Ireland/36/34.), Justin Rose (England/43/37.) , Robert MacIntyre (Scotland/27/55.), Ludvig Aberg (Sweden23/80.), Nicolai Højgaard (Denmark/22/82.)

Team USA. © APA/afp / PAUL ELLIS

Team USA:
Captain: Zach Johnson (47)
Players: Scottie Scheffler (27/1), Patrick Cantlay (31/5), Xander Schauffele (29/6), Max Homa (32/7), Brian Harman (36/9), Wyndham Clark ( 29/10.), Jordan Spieth (30/12.), Brooks Koepka (33/17.), Collin Morikawa (26/19.), Sam Burns (27/20.), Justin Thomas (30/24.) , Rickie Fowler (34/25.)

On which golf course is the Ryder Cup played?

The Marco Simone Golf & Country Club is located in the east of Rome - approx. 20 kilometers from St. Peter's Square. The noble 27-hole course with a castle from the 11th century belongs to the Italian fashion designer Lavinia Biagiotti Cigna. Her parents – Laura Biagiotti and Gianni Cigna – bought the castle in 1978 and built the golf course around it.

The Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. © APA/afp / PAUL ELLIS

Since when has the Ryder Cup existed?

The Ryder Cup was played for the first time in Worcester (USA) in 1927. Until 1971, only the USA and Great Britain provided the teams; the “rest of Europe” has only been there since 1979. It was named after the seed dealer and golf enthusiast Samuel Ryder from England. He also donated the small golden cup. The balance sheet from a European perspective: 43 duels – 14 wins – 27 defeats – 2 draws