The 2023 Ryder Cup by numbers as brilliant USA team look to catch up to Europe
McIlroy: Pain of missing Ryder Cup will hit home now with LIV rebels
The wait is over. It’s time to clear your diary and settle down for the greatest show in golf. The Ryder Cup is here and it promises to be the grandest of occasions. Thousands of fans from across the globe are descending on Rome’s Marco Simone Golf & Country Club as Luke Donald’s Team Europe attempts to regain the coveted trophy from Zach Johnson’s star-studded Team USA.
The Americans were runaway winners last time out at Whilsting Straits beating the Europeans by a record 19-9 margin, but no team from the USA has won on European soil since 1993, putting the destiny of the silverware in the balance.
Here’s a look at the key numbers that could determine who will be spraying champagne and jumping in lakes at the end of the Ryder Cup on Sunday evening.
Overall records
This is the 44th staging of the Ryder Cup overall but the 22nd since the competition format changed from USA v Great Britain to USA v Europe in 1979.
In the modern era, Europe leads the way having won 11 Ryder Cups to the USA’s nine. The Americans were previously dominant against the British, with an 18-3 record. The competition has been tied twice, in 1969 and 1989.
Phil Mickelson holds the record for the most appearances, having played in 12 Ryder Cups, but the highest points-scorer record is not the American’s. That belongs to Spaniard Sergio Garcia who has racked up an incredible 28 and a half points. He is also the only teenager ever to have played in the Ryder Cup.
No one has played more matches as a pairing than Jose Maria Olazabal and the legendary Seve Ballesteros. The Spaniards appeared together on 15 occasions, winning an incredible 12 points as a duo.
USA’s 19-9 triumph over Europe at Whistling Straits in 2021 is the largest margin of victory in Ryder Cup history. The biggest individual win belongs to America’s Tom Kite, how beat Howard Clark 8 & 7 in 1989 before Fred Couples repeated the feat against Ian Woosnam in 1997.
This year’s teams compared
The star-studded USA team features six of the top 10 ranked players in the world, including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. However, Europe has the next three highest-ranked players in the shape of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland.
Europe’s Nicolai Hojgaard is the lowest-ranked player in Rome, one place lower than Europe team-mate Ludvig Aberg. Rickie Fowler, at 25, is the lowest-ranked American. World No. 16 Cameron Young is the highest-ranked player to miss out on this year’s event.
Both teams have an average age of 30, but the USA can boast more Major titles with 15 compared to Europe’s nine. The Americans also have a better overall average ranking of 12.92 versus 29.25 for the Europeans.
But with both teams fielding four rookies in Rome, it’s the European team that has earned more points in previous Ryder Cups with 42, compared to the USA’s total of 40.5. Donald’s Euro stars are also slightly more experienced having clocked up a combined title of 21 appearances – four more than the USA.
Don’t miss…
Ryder Cup fans face extortionate beer and cocktail prices costing up to £16[PRICE HIKE]
Meet Matteo Berrettini’s girlfriend the Ryder Cup 2023 opening ceremony host[INTRODUCING]
US Ryder Cup star Brooks Koepka has ruthless response to LIV Golf question[REACTION]
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
When it comes to the captains, there is nothing to separate Johnson and Donald. Both have won 10 and a half points in their Ryder Cup careers. Donald played 15 matches across four European wins in 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2012 while American skipper Zach Johnson played 16 times in five appearances from 2006 to 2016.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club course card
Par 71
Hole Yards Par
1 445 4
2 506 4
3 453 4
4 188 3
5 302 4
6 381 4
7 222 3
8 525 4
9 587 5
10 453 4
11 329 4
12 546 5
13 150 3
14 509 4
15 479 4
16 303 4
17 206 3
18 597 5
Out: 3,609 Total par 35
In: 3,572 Total par 36
Total: 7,181 Total Par 71
Source: Read Full Article