The 2017-18 season started with the sports world wondering if Tiger Woods – then ranked No. 668 in the world – would ever be able to tee it up again in a PGA Tour event, and it ended with the 42-year old legend winning the TOUR Championship, his first title since 2013.
Now ranked No. 13 in the world, and fresh off his 80th career win, the 2016 Ryder Cup Vice Captain will be THE MAN this week as he leads the Americans to battle against the Euros at the 42nd Ryder Cup matches.
This year’s biennial matches will be contested at Le Golf National just outside of Paris, France with the captains Jim Furyk (US) and Thomas Bjorn (Euro) leading their respective teams.
While the Americans won the most recent matches in Minnesota, the Europeans have dominated the competition in recent years, including claiming victory in the three editions prior to Hazeltine.
COURSE INFORMATION
Name: Le Golf National Golf Club
Where: Guyancourt, Paris, France
Distance: 7,331 yards
Par: 72
Architect: Hubert Chesneau and Robert Von Hagge
The host venue of the European Tour’s French Open – an elite Rolex Series event, the historic golf course combines the traditional feel of a links with the modern features of target golf.
Slick greens, vast undulating fairways with innumerable links-style bunkers will greet the world’s best players this week at the Ryder Cup.
The spectacular final 4 holes surrounded by water hazards make the Albatros one of the finest golf courses in Europe where, in 2018, the final act of the Ryder Cup drama will be played.
FORMAT/SCHEDULE
Fri: 4 foursome matches and 4 fourball matches
Sat: 4 foursome matches and 4 fourball matches
Sun: 12 singles matches
TV & ONLINE
Fri: 2:00 am – 1:00 pm (GOLF)
Sat: 2:00 am – 1:00 pm (NBC)
Sun: 6:00 am – 1:00 pm (NBC)
Website: RyderCup.com
Twitter: Team USA | Team Europe
Facebook: Team USA | Team Europe
Instagram: Team USA | Team Europe
DEFENDING CHAMPION
Davis Love III’s talented 2016 American squad held up against some incredible golf from Darren Clarke’s European side, as the Americans won the Ryder Cup 17-11, their first win since 2008.
The clinching point came when Lee Westwood conceded a short putt to Ryan Moore, the Ryder Cup rookie and last man named to the team, just a week ago.
As the defending champions, the will need 14 points to retain the Cup, while the Europeans will require 14.5 to win.
The 2018 American squad will return six players from that 2016 team including Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed, along with Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, and Phil Mickelson.
They will be joined by Ryder Cup veterans Tiger Woods (8), Webb Simpson (3) and Bubba Watson (4), along with Ryder Cup rookies Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau, and Tony Finau.
TEAM USA
QUALIFIERS
Qualifying Rank-Player-World Rank
1. Brooks Koepka (No.3)
2. Dustin Johnson (No. 1)
3. Justin Thomas (No. 4)
4. Patrick Reed (No. 15)
5. Bubba Watson (No. 14)
6. Jordan Spieth (No. 10)
7. Rickie Fowler (No. 9)
8. Webb Simpson (No. 16)
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CAPTAIN’S PICKS
9. Bryson DeChambeau (No. 7)
10. Phil Mickelson (No. 25)
11. Tiger Woods (No. 13)
12. Tony Finau (No. 14)
TEAM EUROPE
QUALIFIERS
Qualifying Rank-Player-World Rank
1. Francesco Molinari (No.5)
2. Justin Rose (No. 2)
3. Tyrrell Hatton (No. 26)
4. Tommy Fleetwood (No. 12)
5. Jon Rahm (No. 8)
6. Rory McIlroy (No. 6)
7. Alex Norén (No. 18)
8. Thorbjørn Olesen (No. 45)
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CAPTAIN’S PICKS
9. Ian Poulter (No. 34)
10. Paul Casey (No. 21)
11. Henrik Stenson (No. 24)
12. Sergio Garcia (No. 28)
