Ryder Cup 2023: Unleashing Team USA's Epic Showdown for Victory in Europe

Scottie Scheffler, who wasn't even alive the last time the United States won a Ryder Cup on European soil, is now leading the charge at the 44th edition of golf's biennial team tournament in Rome. As the current world No. 1, he aims to end his country's 30-year struggle with winning on foreign turf.

Team USA arrives at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Italy with the awareness that they have not brought back the cup since their emphatic 19-9 victory at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin two years ago. This marked their last triumph since 1993, when Tom Watson led his team to a 15-13 win over Bernard Gallacher's European side at The Belfry in Warwickshire. US captain Zach Johnson sees this as a chance to end the losing streak, while European captain Luke Donald has revenge on his mind.

Watson (center holding trophy) celebrates with his US team after triumph at The Belfry in 1993.

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How to watch

Promising "one of the most sophisticated broadcast operations in Ryder Cup history," organizers have said the action is to be beamed to 201 countries across the globe.

In Rome, Italy, on September 28, 2023, Viktor Hovland from Team Europe receives applause from the spectators after scoring a hole-in-one on the fifth hole during a practice round before the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club.

Viktor Hovland's impressive hole-in-one at the Ryder Cup arrives a day earlier than expected. American viewers can watch the event live on the USA Network starting at 1:30 a.m. ET on Friday and Saturday. The coverage will then move to NBC at 3 a.m. ET on Saturday, which will also broadcast the crucial singles matches on Sunday from 5:30 a.m. ET.

In the UK, viewers can tune in to We Golf for live coverage of the event, starting at 6 a.m. BST on Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. BST on Sunday. Additionally, fans in specific areas will have the opportunity to watch featured groups live on the Ryder Cup website and app.

For more information on how to watch, check the Ryder Cup website here.

Johnson watches Justin Thomas during a practice round.

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Format

No surprises here if you caught the Solheim Cup last week, where Europe retained the trophy after a pulsating first-ever draw in Spain.

Two teams consisting of 12 players, including six automatic qualifiers and six captains picks, compete over three days to earn a total of 28 points. The matches on Friday and Saturday include foursomes and four-ball sessions.

The action kicks off at 1:35 a.m. ET (6:35 a.m. BST) with the focus on foursome matches, also referred to as alternate shot. In these matches, two golfers team up to take on another pair, with each team taking turns hitting the same ball.

Rory McIlroy (right) makes his point to Donald (second from left) and other European teammates.

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Each match at the tournament is worth one point, with the points halved in the event of a tie.

Four-ball games are held in the afternoon from 6:25 a.m. ET (11:25 a.m. BST), where a two vs. two format is again resumed, except each golfer plays their own ball.

European captain Luke Donald and US captain Zach Johnson pose with the Ryder Cup trophy at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, in October 2022.

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Everything you need to know about the 2023 Ryder Cup teams: Shocking picks and notable absences

In the four-ball better-ball (4BBB) format, the lowest score posted by either player in a pair is counted for the hole, giving it its alternative name.

On Sunday, the competition will consist of 12 consecutive singles matches, each starting every 12 minutes from 5:35 a.m. ET (10:35 a.m. BST). During these matches, every team member will compete to earn crucial points.

The team that accumulates the highest number of points will emerge victorious. In the case of a tie, the United States, as the defending champion, would retain the cup. However, there has only been one draw in history since the transformation of the Great British and Irish team into Team Europe in 1979, which occurred during the 1989 match at The Belfry, ending in a 14-14 stalemate.

Team USA

Captain: Zach Johnson

Automatic qualifiers: Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, and Xander Schauffele.

Captains' picks: Sam Burns, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, and Justin Thomas.

Team Europe

Captain: Luke Donald

Automatic qualifiers for the team are Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Robert MacIntyre. The captains have announced their picks, which include Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Nicolai Højgaard, and Ludvig Aberg.