If you are golf fan, love the Ryder Cup, and don’t enjoy watching taped sporting events, then get ready for some serious sleep deprivation the next three days.
That’s right, it’s time for the Ryder Cup, the biennial competition between the United States and Europe that always polarizes the golf world.
And since it is taking place at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome it makes for nocturnal viewing, especially if you live in the Pacific Daylight Time viewing regions.
Technically the Cup is from September 29-October 1, but if you live on the West Coast of the United States, it all gets going on September 28 at 10:35 p.m.
Coverage will run from 10:30 p.m. until 9 a.m. for day one (USA Network), and the same on Friday/Saturday (USA Network from 10:30 p.m. to midnight, switching to NBC to 9 a.m.. The single matches start at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday and are scheduled to conclude at 10 a.m. The final day is on NBC.
So, is it worth getting or staying up that late to watch? You bet!
Let’s take a run through the two teams and see which team has the advantage.
United States
Scottie Scheffler: The top ranked player in the world is a vet of one Ryder Cup and went 2-0-1 in the event. Steady and a perfect teammate for both team formats.
Wyndham Clark: No. 10 in the world and won the 2023 U.S. Open. Seeking to prove his international ranking.
Brian Harman: Won the 2023 British Open and is the No. 9 ranked player. May be the most consistent player on the U.S. team.
Patrick Cantlay: He is the No. 5 player in the world and was 3-0-1 in his lone Ryder Cup. Fiery player that brings a passion to the course.
Max Homa: First Ryder Cup, Homa is No. 7 in the world. The 2023 Farmers Insurance champ is gaining popularity all the time.
Xander Schauffele: Is the No. 6 player in the world and was 3-1-0 in his lone Ryder Cup. Steady, steady, steady.
Sam Burns: May be the No. 20 player in the world but did take the World Match Play this year and that is huge when coming into team play. First appearance.
Rickie Fowler: Back to No. 25 after disappearing for a couple of years. At 3-7-5 has the lone losing Ryder Cup record, but he brings intangibles to the team room, and I expect a good week.
Collin Morikawa: Is the No. 19 ranked player, has a record of 3-0-1, and is a two-time Major champ.
Brooks Koepka: Is No. 15 and has a 6-5-1 record in Ryder Cup play. The lone LIV player on the American team, he is one of the boys, and his two U.S. Open wins and three PGA wins show he embraces the moment.
Jordan Spieth: The three-time Major champ is 8-7-3 but seems invincible when teamed with his good buddy JT.
Justin Thomas: The No. 24 player in the world raised some eyebrows when he was a captain’s pick as he has struggled this year. He does bring a 6-2-1 Ryder Cup record and packs a dynamic duo punch along with Spieth.
Europe
Rory McIlroy: The No. 2 player in the world playing in his seventh Ryder Cup is only 12-12-4 in Ryder Cup play. Should be a stabilizing force for the younger players.
Jon Rahm: Is 4-3-1 in previous cups, but the No. 3 player in the World this year and did win the Masters this year.
Robert MacIntyre: The Ryder Cup rookie is No. 55 in the world but could emerge here.
Victor Hovland: Arguably the hottest player on either side, has taken the Memorial and Tour Championship this year. Ranked No. 4 in the world but was is 0-3-2 in the last Cup.
Tyrell Hatton: Is the 11th ranked player in the world and is 2-4-1 in previous Cups.
Matt Fitzpatrick: He is the No. 8 ranked player in the world and a major winner, but was 0-5-0 in his one Ryder Cup.
Ludvig Aberg: Don’t let the No. 80 ranking fool you. This youngster is where all the buzz is for this year. Won the Omega European Masters but has yet to play in a Major – the first Ryder Cup player to make a team without playing in a major.
Tommy Fleetwood: Is the No. 14 ranked player in the world and as his 4-2-2 Ryder Cup record shows, he is smooth, and consistent. Will also be a calming influence for the Euro rookies.
Nicolai Hojggard: He is the No. 81 ranked player and is making his Ryder Cup debut.
Shane Lowery: The 2019 British Open champ and is the No. 36 ranked player. He was 1-2-0 in his previous Cup.
Justin Rose: The No. 36 ranked player is playing in his sixth Ryder Cup. He brings a solid 13-8-2 mark into this event and always seems to rise to the moment.
Sepp Straka: He is a rookie to the Ryder Cup and the No. 22 ranked player in the world. The Europeans need him to step up in a big way.
So, who wins?
Two years ago, at Whistling Straits, the United States rolled to a 19-9 win, and I don’t see how it should be that much different this time.
There are a couple of mitigating circumstances that could switch it to Europe’s favor. First, and most important, the United States has not won on European soil in three decades as we seem to have a tough time adjusting overseas. Those are tough crowds over there and they are very boisterous.
Second, a direct effect on No. 1, the time difference. The American players arrived Monday so have had four nights to adjust to playing in what normally is the middle of the night (six hour time change from the East Coast to Rome).
While the United States has the world’s top ranked player in Scheffler, Europe comes in with the 2-3-4 ranked players. But with those hallowed rankings comes rankings of 36, 63, 80, and 81.
The worst ranking for the U.S. is Fowler at No. 25, but he also is on the rise and has played as well as anyone in the world this year.
Europe needs some out of the world play from some on their team while the United States just needs their crew to play well. It doesn’t need to be great play, but just good play and that’s all it should take.
I don’t see it being a romp like two years ago because that’s a major ask on European soil, but there is no reason for the United States lose if they play well.
I am thinking this ends up 16-12 with the United States retaining the Cup which they will defend at Bethpage Black in New York in 2025.
By Dennis Miller