Author: Linus Goldemann

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Panorama

Emotions, triumphs and tears: The memorable golf year 2023

A year full of emotions: Highlights, victories and moving stories that will make the 2023 golf year unforgettable. (Photos: Getty)
A year full of emotions: Highlights, victories and moving stories that will make the 2023 golf year unforgettable. (Photos: Getty)

The year 2023 in golf was characterized by personal stories that went beyond the competition. From the joy of the birth of Brooks Koepka’s first son to the moving success of Camilo Villegas after the tragic loss of his daughter, golf revealed its human and compassionate side this year. Let’s dive into the most emotional moments that shaped the golf year 2023.

Cheers on one side, tears on the other – The Ryder Cup 2023 in Rome

The 2023 Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club just outside Rome was not only the athletic but also the emotional highlight of the year. Hundreds of thousands of fans created a breathtaking atmosphere and cheered the European team on to a magnificent victory. Shane Lowry was infected by the atmosphere and celebrated a chip-in from Viktor Hovland on the first hole of the tournament as emotionally as the victory itself.

The incomparable atmosphere was also palpable with a putt from Justin Rose. The Englishman held his nerve during his fourball match on the first day and converted an important putt on the 18th green to level the match. This goosebump moment is one of the situations for which Rose received the Nicklaus Jacklin for his sportsmanship.

The Europeans had to wait a long time for the decisive point, despite their superiority. In the end, it was Tommy Fleetwood who put up 2 on hole 16 in his match and was thus unable to lose to Rickie Fowler. He secured the decisive half point for his team. It was the USA’s seventh defeat in a row on European soil. The often favored team has not won an away game since 1993. In the end, there was no stopping the fans and players and a night of partying began that would not end until the early hours of the morning.

As good as the victory was for the Europeans, the Ryder Cup experience was a bitter one for the Americans. With the Europeans holding a huge lead on the first day, the pressure was on the American players. When the Scandinavians Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg then demolished the US stars Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka in the third session on Saturday morning, the dams burst. In the highest Foursome victory in the history of the traditional continental tournament, the duel was decided after just eleven holes with a nine-stroke lead. The severe humiliation was particularly hard on superstar Scheffler, who could no longer hold back his tears afterwards and had to be comforted by his wife Meredith.

Even after the Ryder Cup, there were both happy and tragic events. Firstly, Patrick Cantlay took advantage of the trip to the eternal city and married his partner Nikki Guidish after the tournament. Just one day later, a major fire broke out on the grounds of the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, burning down the entire hospitality tent.

New additions to the Koepka family

But let’s get back to more pleasant topics. For example, the birth of little Crew Koepka, the first baby of five-time major winner Brooks Koepka and his wife Jena Sims. The couple welcomed their son on July 27, six weeks before the actual due date. However, both mother and son were well up, so that Brooks Koepka was back on the golf course just one week after the birth.

 
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an
 

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Brooks Koepka (@bkoepka)

The most emotional victories of the year

Many different players have managed to win a tournament this year. Some won a professional event for the first time ever, others added more trophies to their collection. However, two victories are particularly memorable as they touched us deeply. At the beginning of November, Erik van Rooyen won only the second tournament in his ten-year professional career and dedicated the victory to his friend Jon Trasamar, who is suffering from cancer. “You imagine being full of euphoria and just ecstatic, but I was just numb,” the AP agency quoted van Rooyen as saying. The South African then decided not to take part in the remaining Fall Series tournaments and spent the time with his sick friend.

Just one week after van Rooyen’s victory, the Colombian Camilo Villegas celebrated a similarly emotional triumph. Villegas lost his daughter Mia in 2020 at the age of just 22 months. Little Mia suffered from a severe brain and spinal tumor. Villegas returned to the tour a month later. “Mia is not here with us physically, but she will remain in our hearts forever,” said the Colombian in an emotional interview that day.

More than three years later, Villegas won again on the PGA Tour for the first time since the death of his daughter. It was the Colombian’s fifth title on the tour. However, his last victory was nine years ago. “It’s hard to put into words right now,” he said during the interview shortly after the last putt. “What a rollercoaster ride! I love this game. This game has given me so many good things and in between it kicks your butt.” Villegas had repeatedly lost his Tour card in recent years and also only got eleven starts on the PGA Tour this season. “I’ve got my little girl up there watching,” he remembered Mia. Villegas and his wife have been parents for the second time since December 2022.

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LIV Tour

LIV Golf: Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces in search for new player in Free Agency

While Dustin Johnson's 4Aces are still in search for a new player, Bubba Watson's roster is already complete. (Photo: Getty)
While Dustin Johnson's 4Aces are still in search for a new player, Bubba Watson's roster is already complete. (Photo: Getty)

The first transfer period in the history of golf is entering the hot phase – free agency. In this phase, teams with open roster spots can sign unsigned players from the Lock Zone and Open Zone. Players from the Lock Zone have completed the previous season in positions 1-24 and are therefore guaranteed a place in the coming season. These players can voluntarily become free agents and negotiate a new contract. Open Zone players who finished the season in 25th-44th place are automatically free agents and must sign a new contract. At the moment, ten roster spots are still vacant – four of the 12 teams are already complete. 4Aces GC captain Dustin Johnson among others is still in search for a new player.

LIV Golf: An overview of free agency

The situation in the second phase of the LIV Golf transfer period for the individual teams is explained below.

The overview of the current LIV Golf rosters. (Photo: LIV Golf)

4Aces GC

The 2022 LIV Golf Team Champions have one roster spot available with Pat Perez no longer under contract after finishing 28th in the points list, leaving Captain Dustin Johnson with the decision to either re-sign Perez or look for another player. Peter Uihlein, who joined the team from Smash GC last offseason, secured and accepted a contract extension with the 4Aces after his 12th place finish in this year’s Individual Standings. Rounding out the formidable squad is Patrick Reed, who finished 6th.

Cleeks GC

Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks have two open roster spots after Bernd Wiesberger and Graeme McDowell finished 41st and 42nd respectively in the Individual Standing and are now free agents. Kaymer remains as captain, receiving exempt status despite finishing in the Drop Zone (45th or below). Richard Bland re-signed with the Cleeks after his late-season surge locked up a spot with a 20th place finish.

Crushers GC

The reigning 2023 Team Champions, led by Captain Bryson DeChambeau, will return their entire roster. Anirban Lahiri, the team’s only player with an expiring contract, accepted his extension offer after finishing 11th in the Individual Standings. Charles Howell III, the winner of LIV Golf Mayakoba, finished 10th while Paul Casey remains under contract after finishing 35th.

Fireballs GC

Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs have one open roster spot after Carlos Ortiz, who finished 15th in the Individual Standings, opted for free agency after declining a contract extension offer. Abraham Ancer and Eugenio Chacarra, each under contract for at least one more season, finished in 26th and 32nd respectively.

Hyflyers GC

Phil Mickelson’s team has one open spot after James Piot was relegated after finishing 47th in the Drop Zone. Both Cameron Tringale (16th) and Brendan Steele (19th) are under contract and will return. Mickelson will look to add a player through free agency or the draft.

Iron Heads GC

Captain Kevin Na will add at least one new player due to Sihwan Kim’s relegation. Scott Vincent played his way into the Lock Zone in the regular-season finale in Jeddah and accepted his extension offer. Danny Lee, winner of LIV Golf Tucson, is under contract for next season.

Majesticks GC

Co-captains Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood return, as does Sam Horsfield, who rejoined the lineup late in the season following an injury and remains under contract.

RangeGoats GC

Captain Bubba Watson’s decision to acquire Talor Gooch last offseason proved successful after Gooch hoisted the 2023 Individual Championship trophy. The addition of Gooch helped the RangeGoats finish runners-up at this year’s Team Championship in Miami. Watson’s lineup is set as both Harold Varner III (7th) and Thomas Pieters (33rd) are under contract.

Ripper GC

With Matt Jones (37th) now a free agent and Jediah Morgan (46th) relegated, Captain Cameron Smith has the option to either re-sign Jones or look to add two new players via free agency or the draft. Marc Leishman, who completes the team, finished 18th in the 2023 Individual Standings.

Smash GC

Captain Brooks Koepka has one open roster spot following Chase Koepka’s relegation while Jason Kokrak (23rd) and Matt Wolff (27th) are under contract for another season.

Stinger GC

Captain Louis Oosthuizen’s team is set with Branden Grace (9th), Dean Burmester (14th) and Charl Schwartzel (38th) under contract.

Torque GC

Four-time tournament champions and third-place finishers at this year’s Team Championship, Joaquin Niemann’s Torque has one open roster spot heading into this offseason. Mito Pereira (8th) and Sebastian Muñoz (11th) secured their spots for next year while David Puig is a free agent, having finished 31st in this year’s Individual Standings. Thus, Niemann will look to add one player via free agency or the draft

LIV Golf: The remainder of the transfer period

Free agency will conclude when four league roster spots remain. These open spots are reserved for the winner of The International Series 2023 Rankings – claimed by Andy Ogletree this past weekend in Hong Kong – and the top three finishers from LIV Golf Promotions, which will be staged December 8-10 at the iconic Abu Dhabi Golf Club in United Arab Emirates. Following the qualifying tournament, the league will host the LIV Golf Draft through which these players will be drafted onto the remaining teams that have an open spot on their roster.

Additionally, to support opportunities for teams to strengthen their rosters once the season has begun, a mid-season trading window will take place in 2024 (exact dates to be announced) where teams and players will be free to negotiate trades as well as extensions to their existing contracts if a player is in the last year of his contract.

Text: With material from LIV Golf

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Brands Equipment Golfshoes

Duca del Cosma presents new shoes for the Cool Season Line

Duca del Cosma presents the new collection for the cool season. (Photo: Duca del Cosma)
Duca del Cosma presents the new collection for the cool season. (Photo: Duca del Cosma)

Italian golf fashion brand Duca del Cosma, the market leader in golf boots across Europe, has elevated its popular Cool Season golf boot collection with the introduction of new, eye-catching models and colourways for golfers looking to impress during the cooler golfing months.

Duca del Cosma: Extension of the ‘Cool Season Line’

Handcrafted using the most premium materials, the latest waterproof golf boot line-up offers six new designs and two chic colourways applied to two of the best-selling women’s models. The all-encompassing collection is available from 3 October and is comprised of 31 stylish options featuring ultra-modern golf shoe technologies to deliver top performance.

Leading the latest collection is the all-new FRANCESCA women’s and PRATO men’s boots designed to deliver ultimate grip and stability, plus added warmth in the harshest playing conditions. With fashion, sporty and classic styles to choose from, the collection offers striking looks to gain the attention of playing partners on and off the course.

“Duca del Cosma is proud to be leading the growth of golf boot sales across Europe and Scandinavia for both male and female players”, said Merle Deterink, Global Marketing Director. “As we’ve seen a 30% increase in sales of our golf boots since last year, we believe this offers a great opportunity for golfers to explore footwear that extends their golfing season and retail partners to stock as many choices as possible”, she added.

The new golf shoes from the women’s collection of Duca del Cosma

Spearheading the stylish women’s collection is the FRANCESCA boot, designed for fashion-conscious golfers who place a premium on functionality and unmatched performance in cooler conditions. Introducing hints of the purest Italian design, the waterproof boot boasts a striking print and soft faux fur ankle cuffs for a subtle touch of luxury.

Offering a more sophisticated appearance, the timeless OLIVIA high-top boot will look at home both on and off the course. Handcrafted with a soft premium vintage Nappa leather upper, the boot features fashionable Duca del Cosma detailing down the side and is available in Black and Brown.

The popular and lightweight PALAZZO and PRADO styles feature the Airplay 6 outsole for a supremely cushioned fit, plus a combination of true comfort and stability on the course. The chic PALAZZO features a faux fur collar, while the PRADO quilting detail on soft Italian Nappa leather outer provides an unmatched air of elegance. Both styles are available in the all-new Taupe colourway.

The PALAZZO boot from Duca del Cosma. (Photo: Duca del Cosma)

Another sporty option sure to make a statement is the SONESTA style. Designed for exceptional grip and stability, it is the perfect choice for the fashion and eco-conscious golfer. Handcrafted using sustainable microfibre combined with a recyclable embossed and printed PU patent, its dazzling sparkle design will certainly grab the attention of those on the course and in the clubhouse.

Closing out the standout collection of women’s boots is the all-new SABRINA, featuring a unique buckle and brogue-like design for a distinctive yet classy finish. The cool seasons of golf are no match for this shoe, with premium fleece lining, faux fur cuff and waterproof bootie system to ensure feet stay comfortable and deliver during play.

The new golf shoes from Duca del Cosma men’s collection

A seamless combination of fashionable and sporty looks are bolstered in the men’s range with the introduction of the PRATO model. Constructed using exceptionally soft Nappa leather and the breathable ARNEFLEX® insert sole, this waterproof boot ensures a super stable stance to deliver optimal power in the swing, thanks to the construction of the advanced D-Eva® outsole. With Duca del Cosma branding on the outside the boot, it’s available in the contemporary Dark Grey and Cognac colourways.

The FONTANA boot from Duca del Cosma. (Photo: Duca del Cosma)

Another welcome addition to keep feet warm and dry during the round is the FONTANA style. The classic boot comes with a soft fleece lining for unrivalled comfort, as well as a soft recyclable microfibre upper. Available in Brown and Navy with contrasting soles.

Text: Duca del Cosma

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Highlights Tours

Ryder Cup 2023: Aberg and Hovland with Historic Foursome Win

Victor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg will make history at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Victor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg will make history at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

Unbelievable. On the second day of the 2023 Ryder Cup, Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland make golf history. In the morning foursomes, the two Scandinavians dominated against none other than world number one Scottie Scheffler and his teammate Brooks Koepka. With a 9&7, the two Europeans swept the US boys off the course and thus ensured the highest Foursomes victory in the history of the Ryder Cup.

Sensational performance at the 2023 Ryder Cup by Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland

Nobody would have expected this result in a match in which Scottie Scheffler competed. The ‘9Up’ on the eleventh hole decided the record match in favor of the young Europeans. In the run-up to the match, it seemed likely that the pairing of Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka would have a good chance of winning the first match for Team USA at the 2023 Ryder Cup against the inexperienced Scandinavians. But Aberg and Hovland had other plans.

The failure of the US-Americans is historic. The dispatch with 9&7 is the highest win at the Foursomes in the history of the Ryder Cup. Both Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland played outstanding golf on the second day of the Ryder Cup. On the other hand, Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka also played well below their capabilities and thus enter the history books of the Ryder Cup.

“We’re meeting two strong guys, No. 1 in the world and five-time major champ, so we tried to not give them anything, and we played really, really solid”, Hovland said after their round. “Obviously we didn’t meet a sharp Scottie and Brooks but we played some really nice golf today.”

“I don’t think we could have done a whole lot better. It’s nice to kind of speak our own language and we understand each other. Obviously same humour, same culture. Ludvigs’s a stud. He doesn’t miss a shot, so it’s easy when I’m playing well and he’s playing well and we are just feeding off of each other.”

Ludvig Aberg couldn’t quite believe what was happening. “For me it’s unbelievable, but obviously today was quite surreal at times. Almost pinch myself at times but obviously super happy with it and looking forward to this afternoon.”

Scottie Scheffler reacts emotionally to historic defeat

Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland put pressure on the two US Americans right at the start of the match. After Team Europe won four foursomes the day before, the confidence of the two Europeans was palpable. The first four holes all went to the duo from Scandinavia, on the front nine the two played five birdies and were already in the lead with ‘7Up’. On the back nine, two quick birdies and the resulting hole wins followed and the historic match had already come to an end. After the record defeat Scottie Scheffler let his emotions run free.

Team Europe is off to a historically good start in the 2023 Ryder Cup, putting itself in an ideal position for the remainder of the tournament. Team USA, on the other hand, urgently needs to find its way into the tournament in order to increase the pressure on the Europeans and still turn the tide.

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Highlights Tours

Ryder Cup 2023 – Rory McIlroy: “At least I contributed twice”

Rory McIlroy und Matt Fitzpatrick at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy und Matt Fitzpatrick at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)

Team Europe has made a strong showing at the Ryder Cup 2023 in Italy. After the Foursomes in the morning ended with 4:0 for the Europeans, the hosts defended the lead strongly in the Fourballs in the afternoon. Rory McIlroy, who did not start too well into the tournament, won both of his matches – in the morning together with Tommy Fleetwood, in the afternoon with Matt Fitzpatrick. The afternoon match in particular caused quite a stir, as the two Europeans literally overran the guests on the front nine. Read the interview with McIlroy and Fitzpatrick.

Follow the Ryder Cup 2023 Livescoring

Ryder Cup 2023: McIlroy and Fitzpatrick thrilled about Team Europe’s great start

Q. Mat, Rory, incredible performance, relief, elation, what does this mean for you personally and for Europe?

Matt Fitzpatrick: For me, it’s very, very special, and to play with this man, and to get out to the start that we did, yeah, just phenomenal.

Q. A hot start, Rory, as far as Ryder Cup Matches, where does that rank for you, and near the top, I’m sure?

Rory McIlroy: Yeah, absolutely amazing. You know, for the first nine holes I was trying to hang on to this man’s coattails. I said to him walking up 10, “At least I contributed twice.”

And then the boys made a few birdies, you know, on the back nine there and we had to just sort of hang in and hit some good, solid shots down the stretch.

But yeah, I mean, just a great day in front of some amazing home fans, and I said to Fitzy there, you know, for his first point for Europe, I’m happy that I was the one to get it with him. Proud of how him and I played, and we just have to go out and regroup for tomorrow.

Q. Going out in four-balls this afternoon gave you some freedom, didn’t it?

Matt Fitzpatrick: Yeah, absolutely, my first four-balls match. I was laughing to Rory, what do we do here. I’m just so excited to be out here, and it’s very different playing a home Ryder Cup than away to. Have the fans cheering you on makes a hell of a difference.

Q. First point in Ryder Cup competition, you got off to a hot start, what was working so well for you early on?

Matt Fitzpatrick: Six one-putts in a row is normally a big help. Yeah, felt really good with the putter on the front nine and just got off to a really hot start.

Q. Why did this pairing work so well for you today?

Rory McIlroy: Matt and I have known each other for a long time now. We have played, yeah, this is our third Ryder Cup Team together, and yeah, it’s a really comfortable pairing. I’ve been so lucky with the two partners that I’ve had with Tommy in the morning and this man, the start that he got off to, I was trying to hang on to his coattails. I contributed a couple of times there around the turn and thankfully we did enough to get it done.

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Highlights Tours

Ryder Cup 2023: Sepp Straka – An Austrian writes history

The 2023 Ryder Cup has one more Austrian in its history. After compatriot Bernd Wiesberger, who experienced European defeat up close in Whistling Straits in 2021, Sepp Straka is the next man from the Alpine nation on Team Europe. A strong year from Straka is made even better at the end by the Captain’s Pick of Luke Donald. The 30-year-old attracted attention with strong finishes at the majors and celebrated his second title on the PGA Tour. Despite his personal closeness to the USA, Straka will be looking to bring the title back to Europe against Zach Johnson’s men and claim his next success.

Sepp Straka at the Ryder Cup 2023

For the first time, Sepp Straka, one of four rookies in Luke Donald’s team, will tee it up at a Ryder Cup. For Donald, who raved about Straka several times, it was probably one of the easier Captain’s Picks. That’s because Straka played a terrific season and was able to put his name in the headlines, especially at the majors. A strong showing at the 2023 PGA Championship in May resulted in a shared 7th place finish at Oak Hill Country Club. Then followed an even bigger exclamation mark at the British Open 2023 in July.

Behind Brian Harman, Straka played a strong weekend and secured the shared second place. Despite the rain at Royal Liverpool on the English east coast, Straka was to become the first Austrian with a top-3 finish at a major. But the Viennese was not only able to convince at the majors this year. A second title on the PGA Tour is also on the Austrian’s shelf after winning the John Deere Classic in July. The tall 30-year-old secured the tournament in Illinois after a closing round of 62 to finish 21 strokes under par and two strokes clear of the runner-up. In the end, he should win 1.3 million US dollars in prize money.

Ryder Cup 2023: Sepp Straka commits to the European homeland

Team Europe will travel to Rome with no fewer than four players who will be competing in an edition of the Ryder Cup for the first time. Straka learned of the nomination while driving: “It was great, it was a big relief because if you don’t qualify, you just don’t know. It’s up to the captain’s choice and it’s an honor that he had confidence in me, and hopefully I can reward that with a good performance in Rome.”

The leaderboard of the Ryder Cup 2023

Sepp Straka was able to gain his first experience of team competitions at this year’s Hero Cup, which apparently also convinced Luke Donald. In the duel with the team from Great Britain and Ireland against the continental Europeans, Straka went to the United Arab Emirates. There, he was already able to do a lot of advertising for himself in January and, among other things, celebrated a success with his 5-and-4 win in the singles against Ewan Ferguson and secured the triumph in the duel with the island players around Tommy Fleetwood. But it is precisely the latter that Straka has nothing but fond memories of with a view to the Ryder Cup: “My favorite is simply the combination of Molinari and Fleetwood, those guys were incredible. I think that’s probably my favorite team in Ryder Cup history and probably my favorite moment.”

Sepp Straka has spent more than half of his life in the United States, but was born in the Austrian capital, the son of a native and an American. Straka therefore also holds U.S. citizenship and is known on the tour for his American accent. But whether the native of Vienna ever considered playing for Team USA may be doubted: “I have never played golf for America. Since my first start at the Lyoness Open in Austria, my first professional start, I have always played under the Austrian flag. I played all my junior golf for Austria in the European Boys Teams and the European Amateur Team, so yes, I always assumed I was playing for Europe, and I’ve always played for the Austrian flag and represented it proudly.”

The liveticker of the Ryder Cup 2023

Sepp Straka: First Austrian to win PGA Tour title

Sepp Straka has earned a total of more than $13 million since joining the PGA Tour in 2019. In addition to this year’s John Deere Classic, he also won the Honda Classic in 2022, making him the first Austrian winner on the PGA Tour. The Olympics are also on Straka’s CV. He already represented his colors at the 2020 (2021) Olympic Games in Tokyo and secured a shared tenth place. The sum of his good results is proof that the Viennese has established himself as an integral part of the European golfing elite. Thanks to his performance in the last two years, Straka has played himself more and more into the focus and into the Ryder Cup considerations. Luke Donald has not forgotten this either and is now hoping for the qualities of the big hitter from Austria at the 2023 Ryder Cup.

The WITB of Sepp Straka at the Ryder Cup 2023

The Austrian member of Team Europe uses the latest models from TaylorMade for his woods and driver. With the Stealth 2 Plus he chooses the adjustable model with a 15 gram weight behind the “Speed Pocket” of the club. For the irons, he then reaches for the Mk II ZX7 series. The forged Players irons from Srixon are the most sophisticated irons of the latest generation and are designed for plenty of spin and control. Together with the wedges from Cleveland, more precisely the RTX6 Zipcore wedges, Straka gets strong options for the shot on the green in his bag. For his putter, Straka continues to choose the Odyssey Stroke Lab Tuttle with a mid-mallet design. His game ball switched to the new Srixon Z-Star XV just this year. The XV is a bit firmer than Straka’s previous golf ball, but still retains plenty of feel around the greens.

[gpalbum id=8921]
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Highlights Tours

Ryder Cup 2023: Team Monty wins first All-Star Match

Team Monty around Gareth Bale and Novak Djokovic wins the Ryder Cup All-Star Match. (Photo: Getty)
Team Monty around Gareth Bale and Novak Djokovic wins the Ryder Cup All-Star Match. (Photo: Getty)

Team Monty took victory in today’s inaugural Ryder Cup 2023 All-Star Match, beating Team Pavin 7-4 in a closely fought match play contest played over seven holes at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

Novak Djokovic and Gareth Bale at the 2023 Ryder Cup

24-time tennis Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, paired with G4D Tour player Kipp Popert struck an excellent opening tee shot which set the scene for a 3-1 win against Scuderia Ferrari Formula One driver Carlos Sainz, and Italian G4D Tour player Tommaso Perrino – both of whom enjoyed strong local support. Djokovic even managed to drive the iconic short par 4 16th, a hole which promises to be the scene of some epic battles when the Ryder Cup gets under way on Friday.

Match Two, featuring the all-American pairing of actress Kathryn Newton and former NFL player Victor Cruz, ended in a 2-2 tie against the pairing of Italian professional surfer Leonardo Fioravanti and Garrett Hilbert from Dude Perfect. With it all still to play for, Captain Colin Montgomerie turned on the style in the closing holes to edge out a 2-1 victory with close support from his teammate Gareth Bale, in a match against another footballing legend in Ukraine’s Andriy Shevchenko, and opposing Captain Corey Pavin.

Ryder Cup 2023 Live Scoring

Ryder Cup 2023 All-Star Match a “real privilege” for Montgomerie

Speaking about the victory, winning captain Colin Montgomerie, said: “Playing in the Ryder Cup was such a big part of my life and my career and today has really taken me back there. I was actually getting a little bit emotional coming down the 18th and it was a real privilege to Captain such a talented team of all stars. It was also amazing to see the support from the crowds who were fantastic all the way round. This was the first time I’ve played this golf course and it’s a true risk and reward test, so the Ryder Cup is set up perfectly for a dramatic contest. Corey has always been an incredibly tough competitor to face, so it was nice to be able to get one up on him today.”

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Novak Djokovic, said: “My partner Kipp really delivered his A-game today and is such a talented player and so inspiring. Overall, I’m pleased with how I played. I haven’t had the chance to practice too much coming into today, but I hit a good opening tee shot which really settled the nerves and I managed to play some good holes. The crowds were amazing and it was a really fun experience.”

Gareth Bale about the rough at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Gareth Bale, added: “I thoroughly enjoyed that. With big crowds following us there were some nerves there, but I’ve played a few pro-ams before so knew what to expect and that helped. Monty was on top form today and really led from the front. The rough was pretty penal so I had a few tough shots when I missed the fairway, but I hit a good shot on 16 and got up and down for birdie, so that was a good memory to take away.”

Text: Ryder Cup Europe

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Highlights Tours

Ryder Cup 2023: Scottie Scheffler, the number one in the world

Ryder Cup 2023: Scottie Scheffler, the number one in the world (Photo: Getty)
Ryder Cup 2023: Scottie Scheffler, the number one in the world (Photo: Getty)

The 27-year-old American Scottie Scheffler has been at the top of the world rankings for several months. Two years ago, he won the Ryder Cup with the USA on his debut. In total, he has already been victorious six times on the PGA Tour. Currently the best player in the world, he is a mainstay in the American team.

Scottie Scheffler at the Ryder Cup 2023

Scottie Scheffler collected so many Ryder Cup points last season that he was determined early on as the first qualifier. By winning two events in 2023, including the Players Championship, he collected almost twice as many points as Wyndham Clark, who was the second qualifier.

In the 2022/23 season, he played a full 21 tournaments and did not miss a cut. He finished in the top-25 in 19 of the tournaments, won the Players Championship, finished tied for tenth at the Masters, second at the PGA Championship and third at the US Open. With almost $20 million in prize money this season, he is the most successful player of the year and will be a great challenge for the European team. Last year he also proved his match play skills when he won the Dell Matchplay, this year he was eliminated only in the semifinals.

Scottie Scheffler: A mainstay at the 2023 Ryder Cup

Scottie Scheffler made his debut in the historic victory for the USA in 2021. The USA won 19 to 9, setting a new record. Never before has a Ryder Cup team won by such a margin. Scheffler had his part in it.

Ryder Cup 2023 Live Scoring

On the first day, together with Bryson DeChambeau, he played to a draw in fourball against Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm. The following day, with the same playing partner, he picked up his first win in fourball against Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland. The highlight followed on the final day in his singles match against Jon Rahm. With a win of 4 & 3, he scored one of the highest victories of the day against a well-known opponent.

Scottie Scheffler’s greatest achievements and prize money

In Scottie Scheffler’s still young career, he has already achieved great success. The 27-year-old has won six tournaments on the PGA Tour and two more on the Korn Ferry Tour. He is only in his fourth season and further successes of the American are to be expected. With the Masters Tournament last year, he won his only Major title to date.

In 111 tournaments on the PGA Tour, Scheffler made the cut 92 times, finished in the top-10 43 times, finished third nine times and second seven times. In just three years of his career on the PGA Tour, he has collected more than $42 million in prize money.

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Scottie Scheffler WITB for the Ryder Cup 2023

Scottie Scheffler’s golf bag contains a colorful mix of different manufacturers. When it comes to woods, the top golfer relies on TaylorMade Stealth Plus models as drivers and 3-woods. For the long distances on narrow fairways or into the green, he relies on the Srixon Z U85 driving irons and takes the 3- and 4-iron series into his bag. With the P7TW irons from his sponsor TaylorMade, Scheffler reaches for the Players iron set specially designed by and for Tiger Woods. He complements the sporty, slim irons with three wedges from the Titleist Vokey Spin Milled 8 series and a Scotty Cameron putter from the Special Select series. He also relies on Titleist for the ball and tees it up with the Pro V1.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Max Homa – The newcomer on Team USA

Max Homa is heading to Rome for the 2023 Ryder Cup, the first participation for the 32-year-old. (Photo:Getty)
Max Homa is heading to Rome for the 2023 Ryder Cup, the first participation for the 32-year-old. (Photo:Getty)

The 2023 Ryder Cup awaits, when the famous trophy will be on the line at the Marco Simone Golf in Country Club in Rome at the end of September. Max Homa will be taking part for the first time. With a consistent season and a top-10 finish at the BMW Championship, he took the final step towards qualification.

Max Homa at the Ryder Cup 2023

The No. 7 in the World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is coming off a victory in the 2023 season and is one of three debutants on Team USA. The 32-year-old’s shared fifth-place finish at the BMW Championship secured him the No. 5 spot in the Ryder Cup Standings, making it into the Americans’ 12-man squad. Thanks to his strong finish, Homa does not have to rely on the favor of captain Zach Johnson. Max Homa was able to secure his place around Scheffler and Co. with strong finishes at the highlights on the PGA Tour.

To start the season, Max Homa posted a third-place split finish at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. He followed that up with a win at the 2023 Farmers Insurance Open in late January, then tied for second at the Genesis Invitational in February. A month later, the California native earned a sixth-place split at the Players Championship and followed that up with an eighth-place split at the Wells Fargo Championship in May. His strong showings in the former ‘Designated Events’, as well as T6 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship and a shared fifth-place finish at the BMW Championship, allowed him to play his way up to seventh place in the OWGR. He then finished the season with his best career major finish at the 2023 British Open, tying for tenth.

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Max Homa without Ryder Cup experience yet

Although this is Max Homa’s first time at the Ryder Cup, it is not his first team competition on the international stage. After winning the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship, the US American played in the Walkers Cup 2013. The duel between the best US amateurs and their colleagues from Great Britain and Ireland went 17:9 to the US boys. With strong successes on the PGA Tour, Homa recommended himself for the Presidents Cup in 2022. In the duel with the best players outside Europe, Homa showed his class and won each of his four matches in the victory of the USA.

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Max Homa takes off after a bumpy start

For the Californian, the professional career was to begin in 2013 with his entry onto the PGA Tour. He then had to fight for the tour card for many years and made a detour to the Korn Ferry Tour to qualify for the PGA Tour again. Then in 2019, Homa managed his first win on the PGA Tour. And what a success it was! Homa secured the Wells Fargo Championship and prize money of around US$1.4 million. Then came victory in 2021 at the Genesis Invitational in a playoff with Presidents Cup playing partner Tony Finau. In 2022, he would again take the crown at the Wells Fargo Championship. His CV now includes six victories on the PGA Tour and prize money of more than 10.5 million US dollars.

Max Homa WITB for the 2023 Ryder Cup

The Team USA rookie relies entirely on the Titleist brand for his equipment. From driver to wedge, he will also be using the latest models from the manufacturer at the 2023 Ryder Cup, where he usually prefers the sporty variants with length gain and particularly high flexibility. In addition to the TSR3 driver, Homa also plays the TSR fairway woods. However, here he relies on the 2 model with a focus on tee shots and more forgiveness. For the irons, he relies on the Titleist 620 irons. A demanding player’s iron with little room for error. In the short game, Homa, like many of his colleagues, relies on the Titleist Vokey SM9 with different sole grinds to flexibly master any situation on the course. The Scottie Cameron Mallet putter and the Pro V1 golf ball complete Homa’s golf bag.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Tyrrell Hatton with third appearance in a row

Ryder Cup 2023 will be the third time on Team Europe for Tyrrell Hatton. (Photo: Getty)
Ryder Cup 2023 will be the third time on Team Europe for Tyrrell Hatton. (Photo: Getty)

The Ryder Cup 2023 is just around the corner. Tyrrell Hatton will be part of the team again this year. Despite rather disappointing performances at the Major tournaments and a season without a title so far, the 31-year-old Englishman qualified for Team Europe for the third time in a row. Alongside Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, Hatton is thus the fourth player who was certain to be competing for the European team at the Ryder Cup. Known for his temperament, Hatton could be a valuable points contributor for Team Europe – as long as he can keep his emotions in check.

Tyrrell Hatton at the 2023 Ryder Cup

In a year that has so far lacked major success, Hatton qualified for the Ryder Cup through consistent performances and a strong finish on the world points list. With Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm qualifying via the European points list, Hatton’s fourth-best world points score among European players helped him jump into one of the contested spots for the 2023 Ryder Cup.

For Team Europe, the talented Englishman could be a key to success. With seven top-10 finishes in 21 tournaments played in 2023 and only one missed cut, the 31-year-old is proving once again this season that he is one of the best golfers in the world. While it wasn’t enough for Hatton to earn a top finish at the majors, his best finishes this year include a runner-up finish at The Players Championship and shared third-place finishes at the Wells Fargo Championship and Canadian Open.

Tyrrell Hatton’s third consecutive Ryder Cup appearance

For Hatton, participation in the 2023 Ryder Cup represents his third consecutive appearance in the tournament. The two previous competitions in 2018 and 2021 could not have been more different. While Team Europe claimed a convincing victory in France in 2018, Hatton and Co. suffered a historic defeat at the hands of Team USA in Wisconsin in 2021. Hatton himself turned in solid performances in both tournaments, contributing one point (1-2-0) in 2018 and 1.5 points (1-2-1) in 2021.

For the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy, the European team will be looking for revenge for 2021 despite being perceived as the underdog. “I think Europe will have a strong team. The media will portray us as underdogs, but we will have a very strong team,” Hatton announced in an interview with talkSPORT. In any case, the fact that Team USA has not been able to win on European soil for 30 years speaks in favor of success for the Europeans.

Tyrrell Hatton: Dry spell and great successes

Tyrrell Hatton achieved the breakthrough in his career in 2016 when he won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Particularly impressive in this first major success was his 62 strokes in round three. In the following years, Hatton collected five more successes on the European Tour and won the Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour in 2020. He also won the 2018 Ryder Cup with Team Europe, but since his victory in 2021 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Tyrrell Hatton has been waiting for a trophy. A triumph at the 2023 Ryder Cup would certainly be a welcome sense of achievement for him in the context of this dry spell and will provide extra motivation.

A look inside Tyrrell Hatton’s bag for the 2023 Ryder Cup.

Tyrrell Hatton is relying on the latest woods and irons from Ping for his Ryder Cup appearance as well. The Englishman seems satisfied with the driver and the woods of the G430 series and delivers first-class performances time and again. On the fairways and par 3s, Hatton then uses the Ping i230 irons, and starting with the 7-iron, Ping built him a prototype. The Blade is also visually different from the brand’s usual game improvement irons and provides targeting accuracy and more opportunities to “shape” the trajectory, but is also much more challenging to play. Around the greens, Hatton uses the latest variant of the popular Ping Glide wedges. On the green, the Englishman then also resorts to a “vintage model”. The Ping Vault Oslo putter was first launched in 2016 and, after some back and forth, still seems to be a favorite in Hatton’s bag. He also uses the Titleist Pro V1x as his playing ball.