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Ryder Cup 2023: Tommy Fleetwood: “Playing with Rory McIlroy is a dream for anybody”

Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood kept the momentum going and completed the European clean sweep in the Friday Foursomes at the 2023 Ryder Cup. The finished their match against Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay 2&1, after the Americans gave them a fight on the final holes.

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Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood at the Ryder Cup 2023

Q. Rory, you’ve just beaten a pair that were previously 5-0 in foursomes play to complete a clean sweep for Europe. How special is this moment?

RORY McILROY: It’s been an unbelievable session. We switched the format this year to go foursomes first because statistically that’s our better session. And all week, all we’ve been talking about is getting off to fast starts. Playing three-hole matches in practise, three holes, go again, three holes, go again, something that Luke’s drilled into us. We were ready to go from the first tee shot as obviously as you can see in how everyone played.

I’m so proud of this man alongside me. He can play with anyone. I’m just so happy that he’s my partner this week and so happy to get a point on the board for Europe.

Q. There are always turning points and you’re playing 15, looked like you were going to lose it. You turned it into a victory. The adrenaline rush when the putt went in?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: Waiting for a moment like that all today to be honest. Especially the start of the back nine where we were playing so well, I felt like I had two or three chances that I let go by. So I kept them in it, really. You’re not going to hole more unless you have a really good day.

Was due one. Felt really good over it. It’s just one of those Ryder Cup moments, really, and that’s what we’re playing for. It’s really cool. Rory is an unbelievable golfer.

Q. Talk us through that shot, the match was very tense, 1 up, two holes to play. Magnificent shot you hit. Tell us about your point of view?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, if anything, my poor shot recently has been a right shot. So I kept it simple: Keep a strong clubface going back, and fully release it on the way through, aim at the target and it never left the flag.

Q. That was the closest of four, you just pulled out the fourth straight blue point. You spoke about how determined you are to play differently and perform differently as a team as you did at Whistling Straits. How satisfying is this morning’s performance?

RORY McILROY: Amazing to sweep a session. I can’t remember the last time Europe has done that. We can’t get complacent at all. This is an unbelievably long American Team. Last week the American girls went up 4-0 in the first session there and Europe were able to come back, so we are not taking anything for granted here. It’s a great start but we need to keep our foot on the pedal and keep winning points.

Q. You’re undefeated in foursomes the in the Ryder Cup. How does Fleetwood Mac compare to Mollywood?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: Just keep picking your partners, that’s the secret. Obviously playing with Rory is a dream for anybody, and I was the one that got to do that this morning.

Yeah, we’ve known we are going to play together for a while and just getting out there, felt like we actually played very, very good and felt like we were in control all the way. Obviously there are turning points and we needed one towards the end but yeah, just pleased to play with another great partner.

Q. Xander and Patrick were doing everything they could to get a halve, how clutch was your response on the tee at 17?

RORY McILROY: I have hit a lot of good shots in my time. That’s right up there. I didn’t know how close Patrick had hit his but I just wanted to give Tommy a chance to at least stay 1 UP going down the last. I was pretty certain we weren’t going to go down the last, but if I keep hitting iron shots like that, then I’m going to have a pretty good week.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland on using the crowds for their advantage

Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

The Scandinavian duo Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland proved a success in Friday morning at the 2023 Ryder Cup. Against Max Homa and Brian Harman they brought home a 4&3 victory, making the second point for Team Europe. The Europeans secured all four possible points in the foursome matches.

Quotes from Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland at the 2023 Ryder Cup

Q. Is the Ryder Cup as incredible as you thought it would be?

LUDVIG ÅBERG: I think so. The crowds were unbelievable here today, and we could really feel that support and that’s what we need to keep winning points here in Rome, so it was a lot of fun today.

Q. How does it feel whether you’re out here are the energy from the crowd and the momentum Europe had, how much did you really ride that through the course that match?

VIKTOR HOVLAND: It was such a big difference compared to Whistling Straits. Normally I keep my head down and just play, but I’m trying to really get the crowds going and just use them because they want you to play well and they want to support you. So it was such a good start, and we’re going to keep it going.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Jon Rahm narrowly misses hole-in-one

Jon Rahm narrowly misses the hole-in-one at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Jon Rahm narrowly misses the hole-in-one at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

Not only Viktor Hovland seems unstoppable on this Friday morning, but also Jon Rahm inspires with incredible golf. His tee shot from around 180 meters on hole 7 hits the flagstick and just misses the hole-in-one at the Ryder Cup 2023. The birdie after that is just a free skate.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Jon Rahm’s almost-hole-in-one in video

It took six holes and an iron shot for Jon Rahm to almost play his way into the Ryder Cup history books. On the par-3, the Spaniard goes straight for the flag with an aggressive shot and hits the line to the stick perfectly. The shot comes up a few feet short of the flag, bounces a few times and then rolls toward the flag. But the speed of the ball seems a bit too high and the golf ball bounces off the flagstick and stays next to the flag for a tap-in.

The spectators in Rome, of course, celebrate the shot and cheer along during the ball flight and many a person cannot believe that this incredible tee shot did not land in the hole.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Historic victory for Team Europe in the Friday Foursomes

Team Europe secures four points at the 2023 Ryder Cup Foursome on Friday. (Photo: Getty)
Team Europe secures four points at the 2023 Ryder Cup Foursome on Friday. (Photo: Getty)

The first matches of the Ryder Cup 2023 are played and Team Europe starts with outstanding Foursome-Matches into the tournament. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton led the way, with Hovland/Aberg and Straka/Lowry following suit to secure points for the European team. Lastly Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood beat the previously unbeaten duo of Schauffele/Cantlay in an incredible match.

The historic result with four points from the morning sessions has never been seen before at a Ryder Cup. After the clear defeat two years ago, a real liberation for the European team.

Europa vs USA
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Ryder Cup 2023: The Foursomes of Friday at a glance

Europa Ergebnis USA
Jon Rahm und Tyrrell Hatton  4 & 3 Europa Scottie Scheffler und Sam Burns

The first match of the Ryder Cup 2023 goes clearly to the Europeans. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton get going early and secure the first wins on holes 3 and 5. The only point for Team USA follows on hole 6, one hole before Jon Rahm narrowly missed a hole-in-one. After that, the match was almost decided from a European point of view. With further point wins on holes 11 and 12, the two finished the match early with 4&3 on hole 15.

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Europa Ergebnis USA
Viktor Hovland und Ludvig Aberg  4 & 3 Europa Max Homa und Brian Harman

Viktor Hovland and rookie Ludvig Aberg also ended their match early on hole 15. Already on the first hole Hovland showed his current outstanding form and holed out of the semi-rough for birdie after a stumble by Aberg. Hole 2 also went to the two Europeans. With hole wins on holes 3 and 4, Homa and Harman closed the gap early on, but Hovland was unstoppable. All in all, the Scandinavian duo could win three more holes on the front nine, even if Aberg showed his fluttering nerves a few times. On the back nine, the Europeans didn’t give up another point to their opponents and secured another hole win on hole 14. With a shared 15, the match also ends with 4&3.

Europa Ergebnis USA
Sepp Straka und Shane Lowry  2 & 1 Europa Rickie Fowler und Collin Morikawa

The European duo impressed with an outstanding front nine and five hole wins, with only one point allowed by the Americans on hole 5. They then faltered on the back nine and allowed Fowler and Morikawa to make up three points. After the disappointing 16th hole, Lowry and Straka finally managed to prevail, but had to tremble once more.

Rickie Fowler almost carried the match against Straka and Lowry to the 18th hole. With “2 Up” for Europe it went to hole 17 and Team USA needed a birdie to win the hole. The shot missed the hole by a few centimeters and Straka can book his first Ryder Cup point.

Europa Ergebnis USA
Rory McIlroy und Tommy Fleetwood  2 & 1 Europa Xander Schauffele und Patrick Cantlay

It is probably the most even match of the morning. Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are engaged in an unparalleled battle with Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. Although the Europeans do not give up the lead, Team USA remains constantly within reach. This is also the case on hole 16, when Team USA can once again cut the lead to 1 down after Fleetwood misses his tee shot into the left water hazard. But McIlroy and Fleetwood manage to do what no one has done before. They beat the previously unbeaten American duo with an outstanding shot on the green of the 17th hole and secure the historic fourth point for Europe.

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2023 Ryder Cup: Jon Rahm about Tyrrell Hatton: “It’s like being in the same brain”

Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton put the first point for Europe on the board at the 2023 Ryder Cup. The went head to head with Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns in the first match of the day. Rahm and Hatton didn’t give them much of a chance, finishing the match 4&3 on 15. It was the first of four points Europe made in the morning foursomes.

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Quotes from Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton at the 2023 Ryder Cup

Q. How important to get some momentum and blue on the board, how satisfying to get that done?

JON RAHM: Extremely. Extremely. I’ve had a good feeling about Tyrrell all along. Last time we played together it really felt good, and it was good to come out here and perform the way we did. It’s an incredible foursomes match and we played as confident as two people can play, and it was a beautiful one.

Q. Just describe that match from your point of view, Tyrrell, you played some beautiful golf and these massive crowds cheering you on?

TYRRELL HATTON: The atmosphere this morning was incredible. Tee-to-green, I was generally fairly solid. Naturally little bit disappointed with some of the putts I missed. Ultimately we won our point and that was the goal.

Q. You told me in the past when you’re in contention to win a big championship, you get butterflies, but you love them. What’s the feeling you have playing in front of this audience?

JON RAHM: I told Tyrrell, usually the feelings you have down the stretch in a tournament I had hitting my first warm-up put at 6.20 in the morning in the dark, and it increasingly got higher until we hit that tee shot on the first hole. It’s a different feeling, but if you embrace and enjoy it, you can play some pretty good rounds of golf like we did today.

Q. What makes Jon a good partner aside from the shots he hits?

TYRRELL HATTON: He’s obviously very positive between shots, and you know, great company, and he’s always right by your side. So yeah, he’s a great teammate.

Q. What an emphatic performance you put together. You are undefeated in foursomes play in the Ryder Cup. What do you love so much about this format?

JON RAHM: I don’t know. It’s quite stressful but the strongest part of my game is ball-striking, right, and what Tyrrell and I did really well today is hit the shots that we needed. Any time we needed the right shot to change the momentum, we did. You know, that’s the key in match play, right, just keep hitting the right shots at the right time.

Q. We know you two are passionate players but what works so well about this foursomes pairing?

TYRRELL HATTON: I mean, we didn’t really give much away. We were very hard to play against this morning. I think we were four- or five-under, so in foursomes, that’s a good effort. Yeah, it was an enjoyable morning.

Q. The shot on the 7th tee, that came very close. How were your emotions watching a near hole-in-one on Friday at the Ryder Cup?

JON RAHM: I think it might have been too much if it goes in but it got the job ton. I was telling Tyrrell, one of those shots was a perfect number, both seven and eight, and I’m just glad I’m able to hit a tee shot and put it in the same spot. Obviously be amazing to make it.

Some people might wonder why we got paired together recently; we think about the game very similarly and we react to the game very similarly and we understand each other. When one of us misses a shot, we know what’s going on in the other player’s mind. We might vocalise it differently, but at the end of the day it’s the same process. It’s like being in the same brain.

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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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Ryder Cup 2023: Rickie Fowler – Experience for Team USA

Ryder Cup 2023: Rickie Fowler stands after difficult years for the first time again US team. It is already his fifth participation. (Source: Getty)
Ryder Cup 2023: Rickie Fowler stands after difficult years for the first time again US team. It is already his fifth participation. (Source: Getty)

The Ryder Cup 2023 awaits when the famous trophy is at stake at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome at the end of September. For Rickie Fowler, it will already be the fifth participation in the prestigious tournament. After going winless for 1610 days on the PGA Tour, Fowler triumphed at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit in July. This victory put him in the sights of U.S. captain Zach Johnson for the first time, who, after further good performances, eventually nominated him as one of the “captain’s picks” for the U.S. team at the 2023 Ryder Cup.

Leaderboard of the Ryder Cup 2023

Rickie Fowler at the Ryder Cup 2023

Thanks to his victory in Detroit, the 34-year-old will be a member of a Ryder Cup team for the first time in five years. “This participation is really special,” Fowler said after being selected as one of Zach Johnson‘s six captain’s picks. “Fortunately, when I got the call from Zach, he told me the good news, and it was definitely emotional because it’s been a great year after the last few years. I knew it was going to be very difficult to be in that position, so to get that call and be a part of this team is amazing.”

Fowler with terrific comeback in Ryder Cup year

In 2019, Fowler, who had previously been one of the most popular players on the PGA Tour for years and had consistently ranked in the top-10 of the world golf rankings, hit a slump. Fowler slipped further and further down the world rankings. In 2021, the likeable American missed the Masters and the US Open for the first time since 2010. The former star player was also left out of the Ryder Cup. Fowler was not present when the USA defeated the Europeans 19:9 at Whistling Straits. It was the second time since 2008 that he failed to make the U.S. team. In 2022, he finally reached a career low of 185th in the world rankings. As a result, the now 34-year-old made some changes.

He parted ways with his caddie Joe Skovron after 13 years and replaced him with Ricky Romano. He also decided to return to his old swing coach Butch Harmon. The changes quickly took effect. Entering 2023, Fowler posted a string of top-20 finishes before heading into the US Open with top-10 finishes at the Colonial and the Memorial. Fowler received an exemption to the third major of the year because of his ranking in the world rankings – and on the first day, he shot a 62, the best round in US Open history. He led after the first three rounds and finished the tournament in a tie for fifth place. His best major result since finishing second at the 2018 Masters, Fowler continued to play well the following week at the Travelers Championship, finishing in a tie for 13th place. He finally picked up a long-awaited victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic the following week. The six-time Tour winner finished the season in 16th place in the FedExCup standings, his best finish since 2017.

Lots of experience for the US Team at the Ryder Cup 2023

Fowler will be competing in his fifth Ryder Cup, making him one of the most experienced members of the U.S. team alongside Jordan Spieth. At just 21 years old, Rickie Fowler made his Ryder Cup debut back in 2010. On the grounds of Celtic Manor, he was the first PGA Tour rookie to compete in the Ryder Cup and impressed with an impressive recovery in his singles match against Edoardo Molinari. Other appearances followed in 2014, 2016 and 2018, and the last time Fowler was on the Ryder Cup stage was at Le Golf National in France in 2018. One of the best-known and most popular players, Fowler participated in the biennial competition for the then fourth time. The Americans lost 17.5-10.5 and tough years began for Fowler on the PGA Tour. Because of a great comeback season, Zach Johnson nominated Fowler for the 2023 Ryder Cup. “It’s been a great 2023,” Johnson said. “Obviously that win (at the Rocket Mortgage Classic), a very good US Open in LA, basically consistently good performances throughout the season. The stats have shown that. He’s also extremely flexible in terms of pairings. Those who know him, or at least have been around him, know that he makes every team better. That’s Rick.” Now, 13 years after making his debut on the Ryder Cup stage as a rookie with the famous ‘wispy’ hairdo, Fowler will try to lead the U.S. team to its first victory on foreign soil in 30 years. And given all he’s been through in recent years, the 2023 Ryder Cup could be Fowler’s most momentous.

Whats inside Rickie Fowler’s bag at the 2023 Ryder Cup

To match his Puma outfit, the newly crowned PGA Tour winner is equipped with the latest woods from Cobra. The Aerojet LS driver is joined by the 3-wood from the same series. The LS variants are characterized by a particularly low spin and thus generate even more length from the tee. At around 290 meters, Rickie Fowler makes full use of this additional length in the tournament. When it comes to irons, he relies on the Cobra King Tour. Unlike the CB/MB irons, the Player irons are not forged from a single piece but have an aluminum insert. This makes them a bit more forgiving while still generating plenty of spin. The Cobra King wedges in Rickie Fowler’s bag are designed for maximum variability and are said to develop extra spin and control around the green with their specially designed grooves.

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Junior Ryder Cup 2023: Team Europa seals dominant victory

Team Europe secured a dominant victory at the Junior Ryder Cup 2023. (Source: Getty)
Team Europe secured a dominant victory at the Junior Ryder Cup 2023. (Source: Getty)

Team Europe entered the final day singles matches with a six point lead after a remarkable clean sweep in Wednesday’s four-balls at Golf Nazionale, and they drove home their home advantage with seven victories and three ties in 12 Thursday singles matches at this year’s Ryder Cup venue, triumphing 20,5 to 9,5.

Leaderboard of the Ryder Cup 2023

Europe triumphs for the first time since 2004

Germany’s Helen Briem provided the Europeans with some early momentum at the Junior Ryder Cup 2023 after her 2&1 win over Yana Wilson, before Kris Kim defeated Miles Russell 5&4 to extend Europe’s advantage.

Spaniard Andrea Revuelta holed the winning putt to seal outright victory for Team Europe for the first time since 2004 when they won the trophy on American soil at Westfield Group Country Club in Ohio.

Scotland’s Conor Graham overcame American Jay Leng Jr 1 UP, while Swede Meja Örtengren defeated Gianna Clemente 3&2. Irishman Sean Keeling and Italian Giovanni Binaghi provided the two other European victories.

Francesca Fiorellini with a masterful performance in front of her home crowd at the Junior Ryder Cup 2023


In the final match to finish on the course, Italy’s Francesca Fiorellini provided a moment of magic on the 18th green as she came back from 2 down with two holes to play, holing a putt from 25 feet to tie the match in front of a raucous home crowd.

European Junior Ryder Cup Captain Stephen Gallacher was delighted to bring home the trophy for his side and believes the future is bright for European golf.

“It feels absolutely amazing,” he said. “I am so proud of this team and what they have achieved. The team spirit has been unbelievable, and it has been a privilege to be their Captain.

“Every player took control of their own game and they’ve done everything I could have asked of them. The standard of golf has blown me away and it has been inspiring to watch. We are looking at future Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup stars.

“The kids have been fantastic and the way they bounced back at times was sensational. I’ve been blessed to have a front row seat and it’s been an honour just to watch them play. Some of these boys and girls will be future World Number Ones for sure.

“The standard and the talent out there is unreal and the future is bright for Europe. They have all been superstars. The way they dealt with the pressure of playing in this arena has been exceptional and I think our team wanted it a bit more today.”

(Text: Junior Ryder Cup)

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Ryder Cup 2023 – Nicolai Hojgaard: “Sometimes you have to pinch yourself”

Nicolai Hojgaard was picked by Luke Donald to make his first appearence at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Source: getty)
Nicolai Hojgaard was picked by Luke Donald to make his first appearence at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Source: getty)

Nicolai Hojgaard is set to make his debut at the Ryder Cup 2023. With back-to-back top five finishes in the final two events of the European Ryder Cup qualification, Hojgaard earned a Captain’s pick from Luke Donald. The 22 year old impressed with a tie for fifth at the Ryder Cup venue Marco Simone at the DS Automobiles Italian Open – the event and venue he won at in 2021- and once again among a strong field at the Genesis Scottish Open, where he finished tied sixth.

Leaderboard of the Ryder Cup 2023

Nicolai Hojgaard: “It’s a special week”

Nicolai, your first Ryder Cup. Talk about the experience so far of being in the team room and being out on the golf course for 18 holes yesterday.

Nicolai Hojgaard: Yeah, it’s a special week. You’re sitting next to your idols and heros and you’re going out preparing for a big week. It’s pretty cool to be here and preparing and being in the team room and seeing the stuff that goes behind it. That surprise Luke made yesterday with our shirts next to each other and then Seve’s in the middle, it was special and emotional, and that’s what this week is about.

You talked about some of your heros on this team have said if there’s anything they could do to help you, don’t hesitate, you can ask them anything. Have you been asking them anything, and what sorts of things have they been telling you?

Nicolai Hojgaard: I think the good part of all this is they have been in the same position that I’m in now. They got the rookies — obviously Rory and Rahm and Rose, those guys have been here a lot. They were rookies at one point as well, and they had guys, they had questions. So being in the same position as them, trying to learn from the best is pretty cool. It’s about how you prepare for this week going in as a rookie compared to when you’re an experienced guy.

Is there anything you arrived worrying about?

Nicolai Hojgaard: I wouldn’t say probably worried but more about making sure that we are all part of the team and we are all interacting with each other and we all make that team room the best possible place to go. Everyone is very good at it, and you always are like a little worried or scared getting into a team room where you haven’t been before, and you’re getting into a team room with your idols, the guys you’ve been looking up to your whole life. Sometimes you’re here and you have to pinch yourself a little bit, but it’s reality now and now it’s about going and preparing those guys and get ready for Friday.

What’s the best thing you’ve experienced or the thing that’s pleased you most since you’ve arrived here? Doesn’t have to be golf-related.

Nicolai Hojgaard: I think being in that team room yesterday, Seve’s shirt in the middle, and we all talked about all the guys and heros before us and keeping that legacy going and the DNA of The European Team. You hear about it, but once you’re in that team room, you get goosebumps just talking about it, and what it means to Europe and European golf. That’s been obviously the biggest or the coolest experience.

Do you feel confident to express your thoughts in that environment?

Nicolai Hojgaard: I do, yeah. I feel like we’ve got a very good environment in that room. You can say whatever — we all have the same goal. We are all part of the same team. We all focus and determine on the job ahead, and that’s why I think it’s such a cool place to go.

Nicolai Hojgaard is the youngest player at the Ryder Cup 2023

You are 22 years old and the youngest player in the Ryder Cup. Tell us how you feel as such a young prodigy playing in the Ryder Cup?

Nicolai Hojgaard: Yeah, I don’t think about it that much, actually. There’s a lot of young players in both teams, and it’s not really something I think about. But in the end of the day, it’s a cool achievement being the youngest I think on both teams. It’s just a cool thing to say that you’re playing in the Ryder Cup when you’re 22. It’s not really that important. It’s just more of a cool thing to say, I’d probably say.

If you can tell us specifically some of the things Luke Donald has done for you?

Nicolai Hojgaard: When I started playing a little bit in America this year, he was very good to me. We were out for dinners and lunch and always interacted during the weeks. That’s probably where I learned (about) Luke. He’s been a very important part of all this process, of course. That’s the thing about America, I’d say you feel probably a little bit alone in some way because you’re in a different environment you’re not normally used to.

Can you identify a point where you thought, I might be able to make this Ryder Cup 2023 Team? Was there a point you thought you would be a part of this?

Nicolai Hojgaard: When I started the season, I wasn’t really thinking about it too much. We put a plan in place at the start of the year where this was one of the goals, and there was two goals on that list. We tried to focus on how would we build our game to get in the Ryder Cup, and I could see slowly when the season went on that there were some good things in place and that happened. And then when we got to Prague and Switzerland, I played some good golf where I needed to, and I feel like I’ve been doing that for a long time. Probably really haven’t had like the really top results, but it’s been on the right track for a long time. A couple good finish there probably put me in a position where I’ve probably done my part and hopefully that will be enough. But I’ve always had in mind that I think I could be on the team and I get on the team golf-wise, and yeah, sitting here now is pretty special.

Nicolai, thanks for joining us. We wish you well this week.

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Ryder Cup 2023 – Robert MacIntyre: “There’s more buzz around it compared to St. Andrews”

Robert MacInytre is one of four Rookies on the european team at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Source: Getty)
Robert MacInytre is one of four Rookies on the european team at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Source: Getty)

Robert MacIntyre will make his first appearance for Team Europe at Ryder Cup 2023 after securing the third automatic qualification spot on the European Points List. The Marco Simone Golf & Country Club arises good memories for MacIntyre. In 2022 he secured his second DP World Tour title at the italian venue, where he now returns to as part of Team Europe.

Leaderboard of the Ryder Cup 2023

Marco Simone suits Robert MacIntyre

Joined by Robert MacIntyre for Team Europe. We know team sport has been a part of your life with shinty, but how much have you been enjoying the team environment this week?

Robert MacIntyre: Yeah, it’s good. There’s been a lot going on, obviously, but it feels very much like home. All the guys behind each other for one goal, and it’s part of why, we say in shinty, it’s one goal to win the match, and it’s one goal this week to win the trophy back.

Having won here, you know this place really well. Can you talk about how different it’s set up this week to the Italian Open?

Robert MacIntyre: Yeah, there’s a couple drivable holes than what it was before but still very similar. You’ve got to hit it in the short stuff. The rough’s brutal. But it’s no different. Good golf scores will win matches, and if you keep it reasonably straight off the tee, then you’ve got a great chance.

Even for a young guy like you, Seve is this huge inspiration for European golfers?

Robert MacIntyre: Yeah, he turned it around, didn’t he. He turned the tide. Obviously Americans were dominating, but then kind of Seve took it upon himself to change that, to rectify it. I think ever since then, I mean, I’m sure Jon said it. That’s the reason he plays golf. I mean, Seve has done so much for the game of golf. For me, obviously I didn’t really get to watch him. I didn’t get to meet him. But I’ve watched so many clips of him but there’s so many others. Last night I spoke to Monty, and I mean, for a Scotsman, Monty was everything. Again, just a little bit before my time. But I mean, I’ve heard all about him. I’ve watched so many clips about him. Yeah, there’s just so many idols that have done so well in this tournament.

The Ryder Cup brings more excitement than an Open at St. Andrews

You spoke last year about the excitement you felt arriving at St Andrews ahead of playing an open there. How does the feeling arriving here compare for this week?

Robert MacIntyre: Slightly different. A bit more excitement in it. There’s more buzz around it. There’s more people around it. When I arrived at St Andrews, it was on me. I was the only one that could control what was going to happen. This week, there is so much more to it than just me.

How much detail have Luke and the vice captains given you? Do you know when you’re playing and who you’re playing with? Does that help you in your preparation knowing what your role is going to be?

Robert MacIntyre: Yeah, I’ve got kind of a hint on who I’m going to be playing with and what I’m going to be playing in. Again, nothing’s going to prepare me for that first tee shot. It’s just plain and simple. It’s something bigger than I’ve ever been involved in and ever experienced. Just try and keep it as light as I can so that I can play golf the way I know that I can play golf, and the main part is just enjoy it.

Will you calm down by the time you get to the first tee, or do you need that nervous energy to keep going?

Robert MacIntyre: For me, as I said, I’m as calm as ever just now. I actually said to my family, at the start of the week, do you know, I’ve not got the nerves yet. I’m very chilled. I think it’s because the team environment I’m in, it’s very much what I’m comfortable in. But I think Friday or Thursday night, when I know it’s coming, I think the excitement will pick up and the nerves will start to hit. But it’s part of it and it’s part of the journey, and I’ve just got to enjoy it. It’s there. It’s not going to go away, and just accept it’s there and go and do your best.

Thinking about conditions this week, the course undulations and the weather and stuff, how does everyone think about that?

Robert MacIntyre: Yeah, it’s good. The majority of the guys have been here and played it from kind of 2021. There was a few guys that came. But no, the course is a course. It is hilly. It’s hot. But no, we’ve got all the best stuff. We’ve got the best guys for the job from hydration, nutrition, everything. Just as well we’re athletes.

As a Scotsman, how are you dealing with the sun?

Robert MacIntyre: Yeah, it’s all right. Get out there and enjoy yourself.

Bob, thanks for joining us. We wish you well this week.