The 44th Ryder Cup will be hosted by Italy for the first time in its history. The venue is the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club just outside Rome, which has previously hosted the Italian Open. Although we don’t think about Rome as being a Golfer’s Paradise, it certainly will bring a nice touch to one of golf’s premier events.
Here is the twelve-man European team and a brief introduction to what each of them bring to this year’s Ryder Cup Matches. Similar to the American Team, it is a combination of rookies and veterans who have all distinguished themselves as the best Europe has to offer for this biennial event.
The European Ryder Cup Team
Ludvig Aberg
Nationality: Sweden
Age: 23
Turned Pro: 2023
Pro Wins: 1
OWGR: 80th
Ryder Cup Appearances: Rookie
Ryder Cup Record: 0-0-0
Aberg earlier this year was the first player to secure a PGA Tour card, via the College Merit Program, finishing at the top of the 2023 PGA Tour University. He played his college career at Texas Tech.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Nationality: England
Age: 29
Turned Pro: 2014
Pro Wins: 9
OWGR: 8th
Ryder Cup Appearances: (2) 2016, 2021
Ryder Cup Record: 0-5-0
Matt solidified his place on the European Team through the OWGR Rankings. The Englishman won at Harbour Town in April. He is a Northwestern alum and will be looking for his first points as a Ryder Cup member.
Tommy Fleetwood
Nationality: England
Age: 32
Turned Pro: 2010
Pro Wins: 9
OWGR: 14th
Ryder Cup Appearances: (2) 2018, 2021
Ryder Cup Record: 4-2-2
Fleetwood is a Captain’s pick after missing out on automatic qualification in the final qualifying event of the season. He teamed with Francesco Molinari in France (2018) to lead Europe to the cup.
Tyrrell Hatton
Nationality: England
Age: 31
Turned Pro: 2011
Pro Wins: 11
OWGR: 11th
Ryder Cup Appearances: (2) 2018, 2021
Ryder Cup Record: 2-4-1
Hatton brings a unique “temperament” to the European Team. He’s quick to let you know when he’s not happy with one of his shots or putts.
Nicolai Hojgaard
Nationality: Denmark
Age: 22
Turned Pro: 2019
Pro Wins: 3
OWGR: 81st
Ryder Cup Appearances: Rookie
Ryder Cup Record: 0-0-0
Luke Donald is placing his trust in Nicolai, hoping the Dane can handle both the pressure and the expectations that it takes to play in the Ryder Cup. This is his first appearance for team Europe.
Viktor Hovland
Nationality: Norway
Age: 26
Turned Pro: 2019
Pro Wins: 10
OWGR: 4th
Ryder Cup Appearances: (1) 2021
Ryder Cup Record: 0-3-2
After watching Hovland sweep his way through the last two FedEx Cup events, there is little doubt that he may hold the key to Europe’s victory in Italy. He is the first from his country to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup.
Shane Lowry
Nationality: Ireland
Age: 36
Turned Pro: 2009
Pro Wins: 6
OWGR: 34th
Ryder Cup Appearances: (1) 2021
Ryder Cup Record: 1-1-1
This will be Lowry’s second Ryder Cup appearance. He made his maiden start as a captain’s pick in 2021 at Whistling Straits.
Robert MacIntyre
Nationality: Scotland
Age: 27
Turned Pro: 2017
Pro Wins: 3
OWGR: 55th
Ryder Cup Appearances: Rookie
Ryder Cup Record: 0-0-0
MacIntyre is making his first appearance on team Europe after securing the third automatic qualification spot on the European point list.
Rory McIlroy
Nationality: Northern Ireland
Age: 34
Turned Pro: 2007
Pro Wins: 37
OWGR: 2nd
Ryder Cup Appearances: (6) 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021
Ryder Cup Record: 12-12-4
It just wouldn’t be a Ryder Cup without Rory. Longevity is the best teacher when it comes to this level of competition. Rory is one of Team Europe’s most experienced and accomplished Ryder Cup player of all time.
Jon Rahm
Nationality: Spain
Age: 28
Turned Pro: 2016
Pro Wins: 20
OWGR: 3rd
Ryder Cup Appearances: (2) 2018, 2021
Ryder Cup Record: 4-3-1
This will be Rahm’s third appearance for Team Europe and the Ryder Cup. Raise your hand if you’re having a problem believing it’s only been two previous events! It certainly seems as though he has been around for a lot longer.
Justin Rose
Nationality: England
Age: 43
Turned Pro: 1998
Pro Wins: 25
OWGR: 36th
Ryder Cup Appearances: (5) 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018
Ryder Cup Record: 13-8-2
Rose will certainly bring his years of experience to Team Europe. This will be his sixth Ryder Cup. Rose won on the PGA Tour in 2023 at Pebble Beach.
Sepp Straka
Nationality: Austria
Age: 30
Turned Pro: 2016
Pro Wins: 3
OWGR: 22nd
Ryder Cup Appearances: Rookie
Ryder Cup Record: 0-0-0
Straka is only the 2nd player from Austria to be on a Ryder Cup team, after earning a captain’s pick from Luke Donald. He has more than held his own on the PGA Tour over the last couple of season, first winning the Honda Classic (2022) and then the John Deere Classic (2023).
European Ryder Cup Captains
Captain: Luke Donald
Vice-Captains: Thomas Bjorn, Nicolas Colsaerts, Edoardo Molinari, Francesco Molinari, and Jose Maria Olazabal
