Shock selections & ‘criminal’ absences: Everything you need to know about the 2023 Ryder Cup teams
The 2023 Ryder Cup teams have been announced, and there are some interesting selections and notable absences. Here's a breakdown of both Team USA and Team Europe:
Team USA (Captain: Zach Johnson)
Automatic Qualifiers: Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, and Xander Schauffele
Team USA's automatic qualifiers include two major champions (Clark and Harman) and some of the world's top-ranked players. Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, leads the team with an impressive record of six PGA Tour wins in the past year.
Captain's Picks: Sam Burns, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, and Justin Thomas
Zach Johnson's captain's picks have generated some controversy. While players like Morikawa, Spieth, and Thomas are familiar faces in the Ryder Cup and have had successful careers, the inclusion of Brooks Koepka raised eyebrows due to his association with the LIV Golf series. Justin Thomas, despite a challenging season, was selected based on his past Ryder Cup performances and leadership qualities.
Team Europe (Captain: Luke Donald)
Automatic Qualifiers: Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Robert MacIntyre
Team Europe boasts a formidable lineup with world-class talents like McIlroy, Rahm, and Hovland. McIlroy, making his seventh consecutive Ryder Cup appearance, is the most experienced player on the team.
Captain's Picks: Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Nicolai Højgaard, and Ludvig Aberg
Luke Donald's captain's picks include some surprises, most notably Ludvig Aberg, a 23-year-old Swede who only turned professional in June but impressed with a win at the European Masters. Adrian Meronk's omission, despite his high rankings and previous success at the Marco Simone course, raised questions, but Donald expressed confidence in his selections.
The 2023 Ryder Cup promises to be an exciting competition with both teams fielding talented golfers. The event will take place at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy, from September 29 to October 1, 2023.
