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.
Comments