With the Solheim Cup now wrapped up, it's time for the men to strut their stuff. The 2023 Ryder Cup begins on Friday and runs through Sunday as some of the best golfers in the world go at it between Team USA and Team Europe. Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome, Italy will be the scene for this prestigious tournament, with the Americans looking to defend their 2021 title overseas. Luke Donald is set to captain Team Europe, while 2007 Masters winner Zach Johnson will lead the States. Keep reading for the Ryder Cup picks.
Before we get into the odds and predictions for the event, make sure to check out our top golf betting sites and our Golf odds page.
Ryder Cup Odds
While the USA is the favorite with -120 odds to lift the trophy, Europe has won four of the last six tournaments, with three of those victories coming on home soil.
Donald has named Francesco Molinari, Edoardo Molinari, Jose Maria Olazabal, Thomas Bjorn and Nicolas Colsaerts as vice-captains. As for the States, Johnson has given the vice-captain honors to Stewart Cink, Steve Stricker, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, and Fred Couples. Find the full rosters for both teams below:
Team Europe
- Rory McIlroy
- Jon Rahm
- Viktor Hovland
- Tyrrell Hatton
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Robert MacIntyre
- Shane Lowry
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Justin Rose
- Sepp Straka
- Nicolai Hojgaard
- Ludvig Aberg
Team USA
- Scottie Scheffler
- Wyndham Clark
- Brian Harman
- Patrick Cantlay
- Max Homa
- Xander Schauffele
- Justin Thomas
- Brooks Koepka
- Jordan Spieth
- Collin Morikawa
- Sam Burns
- Rickie Fowler
Team Europe Analysis
As previously mentioned, the Europeans have enjoyed their fair share of Ryder Cup success and this roster is certainly capable of producing the goods in Rome. Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, and Tyrrell Hatton are the headliners here. Rahm won The Masters and had four total wins this season. The Spaniard was also second at The Open Championship. McIlroy, Hovland, and Hatton have all performed relatively well this season, too.
However, Europe's roster does appear to be a bit top-heavy. Outside of a handful of big names, the talent level does drop off. That being said, history could be on their side. Team USA hasn't won on European soil since 1993. Donald reportedly had a say in how the Marco Simone course was redeveloped prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup event as well, which may very well benefit Team Europe. The greens are also expected to play slow, which is a familiar occurrence for the European players. Americans are used to fast greens. Something to keep an eye on.
Team USA Analysis
Overall, the Americans are 27-14-1 against Team Europe. But, the gap has closed in recent years. They're not the dominant figure of the past in every Ryder Cup. And it also appears the American players come into this event in sub-par form. The last time a US-born player won any tournament on the PGA or DP World Tour was in July. That was Brian Harman. Prior to that, Rickie Fowler's win at the Rocket Mortgage Classic was the last. However, five Team Europe members have five victories since.
There's also the absence of two stars from the 2021 roster because of their involvement with LIV Golf. Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau weren't selected by Johnson for the 2023 edition and both played a key part in the American's routing of Europe two years ago at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. Justin Thomas meanwhile is in atrocious form. It would be ambitious to think he's going to turn up and be at his absolute best.
Scottie Scheffler will be relied upon to be the main man for Team USA, but his last win was way back in March at the Player's Championship. Overall, the roster has a total of 10 victories on the PGA Tour this season. Max Homa, Scheffler, and Wyndham Clark have two apiece. Five other members of Team USA haven't won a single event in 2022-23. Not exactly ideal.
Ryder Cup Picks
There are countless players on Team Europe who are thriving right now, led by Viktor Hovland. In fact, he may be the best golfer in the world today. McIlroy, Rahm, and others have also proven their worth over the last few months on the PGA Tour. The depth might not be there, but the Europeans are simply playing better golf lately. I like them to win the Ryder Cup.
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