It is almost time for all of the conjecture to stop and for the action to begin, with the 2023 Ryder Cup set to get underway at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome, Italy, from Friday 29th September – Sunday 1st October.
Inevitably, much of the pre-tournament talk centres around both the players who have made the respective teams and of course, those who haven’t. For American captain Zach Johnson and his European counterpart Luke Donald, the speculation and intrigue is due to come to a halt and their 12 chosen men will have to go out there and put it all on the line for their continents.
The global attention on the Ryder Cup will be represented in all areas of the gambling industry, from placing bets on every aspect of the action from Rome with the biggest sportsbooks, through to golf specific Ryder Cup casino games, the Ryder Cup transcends sport like no other worldwide golfing event.
With both sides seemingly confident in the build-up, it should be a superb Ryder Cup, held on Italian soil for the very first time.
Home advantage key for Europe
Remarkably, it has been 30 years since the USA managed to win in Europe and that is something that Luke Donald will be desperate for his side to hang on to. The partisan crowds of the UK and Ireland are once again expected to be out in force in Rome and the European side will be doing all they can to take the game to the USA from the outset.
Selection has been the key talking point for Europe, with rookie Ludvig Aberg literally thrown in at the deep end by Donald will and his selection panel and the Swede will have the eyes of the golfing world on him throughout.
Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm will be spearheading a team with plenty of big tournament experience, whilst a huge amount is expected from the likes of Viktor Hovland and Matthew Fitzpatrick too.
30-year drought to end for USA
Whilst confidence surrounding the European team is justified, there is a real stronghold in world golf amongst the American team currently and they look to have a sense of togetherness and cohesion not seen previously.
The laid back approach of captain Zach Johnson seems to suit the squad, which includes 4 rookies and a host of household names. Divisions in the camp from the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson or Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Kopeka look to be a thing of the past, with Johnson identifying players in form.
Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler were too eye-catching selections from Johnson, with both men struggling to nail down the levels of consistency many would expect of them on the PGA Tour but their skills at this level are undoubted.
Whether it will be enough to end their 30-year Ryder Cup drought on European soil very much remains to be seen.
Few sporting events whet the appetite and territorial nature of fans as much as the Ryder Cup does and with the individual nature of golf put to one side in a fascinating team contest, the competition holds a special place in the heart of golf fans.
As 24 of the best players on the planet tee it up in Rome on September 29th, it promises to be another spectacular weekend of golfing drama.
