Team Europe: 2023 Ryder Cup Report Card

Stellar marks, plus a bonus grading of host venue Marco Simone

9 min readOct 6, 2023

Rory McIlroy (Automatic Qualifier, 4–1–0): A

McIlroy came as close as one can to a 5–0–0 record and “A+” grade, losing his Saturday four-ball match 1-down on the 18th green to an inspired Patrick Cantlay and closing out other matches in style (below). The now seven-time Ryder Cupper was the only player to win four matches and the only player to win four points. Despite being arguably the world’s best player of the past decade-plus (and certainly the best European), McIlroy had never led Team Europe in points-earned. Why this time around? Maybe it was a response to the tears he shed after a 1–3–0 outing at the 2021 Ryder Cup. Maybe it speaks to the mantle McIlroy has assumed as the game’s preeminent spokesman and ambassador amidst the LIV-Golf disruption. Or maybe he’s just golf’s most talented player competing in front of a home crowd with no other explanation needed. With McIlroy entering the back-nine of his Ryder Cup career, he’ll be glad to have this shining performance on his resume.

Jon Rahm (AQ, 2–0–2): A

While Rahm’s undefeated record and three contributed points are alone worth an “A”, the Spaniard’s 2023 Ryder Cup will be remembered most for his key moments and strong spirit. During a Friday afternoon four-balls where it looked like Team USA might claim a momentum-shifting 3–1 session victory, Rahm’s eagle chip-in on the 16th hole (below) and 33-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole stole a key half-point for Team Europe. In his Sunday singles match against world #1 Scottie Scheffler, Rahm hit a shot over a bridge and converted an 18th hole 2-putt birdie from 89 feet to take another half-point and stifle Team USA’s fledgling comeback. In the team spirit department, Rahm played the hits. He was ever-present cheering on his teammates both after his matches concluded and during the lone session he sat. European rookie Nicolai Højgaard made seven birdies as Rahm’s partner in Friday four-balls, speaking to Rahm’s role as a veteran presence. And as always, no one on either side seems to appreciate and embody the heart of the Ryder Cup more than Rahm, who never fails to invoke the legacy of the late Seve Ballasteros as his inspiration.

Viktor Hovland (AQ, 3–1–1): A

All signs pointed to the uber-likable Norwegian having a fantastic Ryder Cup. Hovland came in as the hottest player in the world with two victories in the FedEx Cup playoffs, flexing his consistently elite ball-striking and a short game that had vastly improved since his shaky Cup debut in 2021. He backed up the hype by playing all five sessions and winning 3.5 points. The three most memorable moments from Hovland’s 2023 Ryder Cup:

The insanely clutch 26-foot birdie putt Hovland holed on the 18th green to steal a half point away from Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in the Friday afternoon four-balls.
The historic 9&7 drubbing he and Ludvig Åberg delivered to Scottie Scheffler and 5-time major champion Brooks Koepka in Saturday morning foursomes.
This photo from the Sunday evening celebrations:

Tyrrell Hatton (AQ, 3–0–1): A

Winning 3.5 points in four matches merits the volatile Englishman an “A”. For a brief period on Sunday afternoon, it looked like any American hopes of a miracle comeback rested on Hatton’s match against Brian Harman. Hatton, only 1-up after Harman won the 9th hole, birdied and won three of seven holes played on the back nine, including a clutch short-sided up-and-down birdie on the drivable 16th hole, to win his first Ryder Cup singles match in three tries. Hatton will be pleased with this year’s success after going a combined 2–4–1 in his first two Ryder Cup appearances.

Matthew Fitzpatrick (AQ, 1–2–0) C+:

Winless (0–5–0) in his first two Ryder Cup appearances (2016 and 2021), Fitzpatrick appeared to issue a strong message to the doubters during this year’s Friday fourballs. After four birdies, an eagle, and 79 feet of putts made in the first six holes, he and McIlroy cruised to a 5&3 victory over Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele. Unfortunately for the 2022 US Open Champion, the hot putter did not last as Fitzpatrick lost both of his following matches. It remains to be seen if the stroke play success that has him ranked 8th in the OWGR will translate to consistent performances in team match play.

Tommy Fleetwood (Captain’s Pick, 3–1–0) A-:

Another stellar Ryder Cup goes in the books for the Englishman as Fleetwood’s record across three appearances is now 7–3–2. Fleetwood meshed seamlessly with McIlroy to win two foursomes matches and ended up clinching the Ryder Cup for Team Europe by defeating Rickie Fowler on the 16th hole of their singles match. Fleetwood narrowly misses out on the full “A” for a non-competitive loss to Max Homa and Brian Harman in Saturday fourballs. He’s proved himself in the Ryder Cup and on the European Tour (6 wins) — will Fleetwood finally win his first PGA Tour event in 2024?

Shane Lowry (CP, 1–1–1) B-:

Lowry’s selection was met with a few raised eyebrows as the Irishman hadn’t logged a top-10 worldwide since February and went 1–2–0 in his lone previous Ryder Cup appearance (2021). While Lowry slightly improved his on-course record, his *spirited* off-course presence left a more lasting impression. The 2019 Open Champion did it all — profane exchanges with marshals, playing the “hold-me-back” role for Rory McIlroy in a parking lot scrum, stirring up already-feisty European fans (below), and crushing Team Europe’s Sunday night celebration. Regardless of form, if Lowry isn’t playing at the 2027 Ryder Cup at Irish resort Adare Manor, Team Europe might have an Irish mutiny on its hands.

Justin Rose (CP, 1–1–1) B+:

The oldest player on either side, Rose exceeded expectations in what might be his final Ryder Cup appearance (and almost certainly his final appearance in Europe). His putting performance evoked memories of the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah, as the now six-time Ryder Cup veteran holed clutch putt after clutch putt to repeatedly stifle American momentum. The lasting memory of Rose’s 2023 Ryder Cup will surely be the 9-foot birdie putt (below) he holed on the 18th green of Friday fourballs to steal a half point from Max Homa and Wyndham Clark. Additionally, European rookie Robert MacIntyre benefited greatly from Rose’s leadership and experience (aka. got carried by Rose) on their way to 1.5 fourball points. While his days as a Ryder Cup player might be numbered, look for Rose to fill the captain role on a future European squad, perhaps as soon as 2027.

Sepp Straka (CP, 1–2–0) C:

The first man from Austria to ever win a Ryder Cup! In what the Americans probably felt was an easily-winnable match, Straka took care of business with Lowry in Friday morning foursomes against Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa. Straka didn’t contribute much to the European cause afterwards, losing to a Brian Harman and a brilliant Max Homa in Saturday foursomes and then to Justin Thomas in Sunday singles. With the Hovland/McIlroy/Rahm trio combining for 10.5 points, Team Europe could afford a “C” performance from Straka.

Ludvig Åberg (CP, 2–2–0) B-:

No rookie on either side attracted more intrigue than Åberg. Despite the machine-like Swede notching a win and three additional top-10s on the PGA and DP World Tours since turning pro in June, plenty questioned if he deserved his eventual captain’s pick. On the Ryder Cup broadcast, NBC Lead Analyst Paul Azinger went as far as to say Åberg’s selection was based more in “opinion than merit.” After helping Viktor Hovland make tidy, historic work of Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka in a 9&7 foursomes victory, it’s safe to bet Åberg has at least a few more Ryder Cup appearances in his future. A sloppy singles loss to Koepka highlighted some areas for growth, but that won’t overshadow an otherwise solid debut. It shouldn’t be a controversial “opinion” that Åberg will “merit” more than the 6.5 points and four Ryder Cup appearances on Azinger’s resume.

Nicolai Højgaard (CP, 0–2–1) C:

While the young Dane was the only European player not to win a match, the record doesn’t tell the full story. Paired with Jon Rahm in a heavyweight fourball match against Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka, Højgaard made seven birdies and won three holes outright to more than hold his own on the way to a hard-fought half point. For the 22-year old who’s already won twice on the DP World Tour, this year’s appearance was always more about contributing to Team Europe’s future than its present. Expect to see him and twin brother Rasmus donning the blue and gold in 2025 and beyond.

Robert MacIntyre (AQ, 2–0–1) B:

How many would have predicted an undefeated record from the rookie Scot coming into the week? Perhaps not even MacIntyre himself, who shared he was “almost in tears” preceding his debut match in Friday fourballs. While his 1.5 fourball points were certainly buoyed by two-time partner Justin Rose’s heroics, Wyndham Clark’s 18th-hole shank, and the uninspired play of Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, MacIntyre earned every bit of a 2&1 singles victory over reigning US Open Champion Clark. He won’t be favored to make a second Ryder Cup squad in 2025, but the Obanite endeared himself to many in Rome. In MacIntyre’s words following the Friday afternoon fourballs:

“It’s been brilliant. Today is everything I’ve dreamed of.”

Luke Donald (Captain) A+:

It’s hard to ask much more of a captain. Awarded the captaincy late after previously named captain Henrik Stenson’s departure to LIV Golf, Donald took on the large task of retooling a European team that seemed devoid of both young talent and veteran presence. After 18 months of careful planning and a brilliant three days at Marco Simone, several are already calling for the Englishman to be named to a second captaincy for the 2025 Ryder Cup. While it’s always difficult to assess what portion of Ryder Cup results should be ascribed to a captain’s leadership versus his players’ performances, Donald’s attention to the details seemed to truly make a difference in this Cup. A few items that stood out:

Bringing statistics guru (and former Ryder Cupper) Edoardo Molinari on as an assistant captain. While Americans attempted to mimic the Italian’s services by hiring an external consultancy, Molinari’s pre-existing relationship with most European players and experiential understanding of the Ryder Cup made for a more unique and valuable service.
The BMW PGA Championship week in mid-September. Donald took all 12 European Ryder Cuppers to Marco Simone for a scouting trip that Monday and then (with the help of the DP World Tour) placed each player in Thursday-Friday threesomes alongside teammates they were likely to pair with in Rome.
Mini-matches. In order to train players to win early holes, Donald orchestrated series of three-hole matches in practice rounds. Not surprisingly, Team Europe won the 1st hole in ten matches (compared to America’s four).
Engaging the heart. It’s been well-documented how Donald contacted players’ families to piece together personal video encouragements for each player. He also placed photos of each player’s life, from childhood to present-day, throughout the locker room. In a move that surely put rookie Nicolai Hojgarrd at greater ease, Donald invited twin brother Rasmus to be a part of Team Europe’s administrative efforts.

Marco Simone Golf and Country Club: A

Golf Digest’s 9th-ranked Italian course probably isn’t your favorite architect’s favorite golf course, but Marco Simone checked all the boxes as the venue for the first Ryder Cup held in Italy. The closing holes provided great drama, highlighted by the water-lined, drivable par-4 16th and the mega-downhill par-5 18th. Many holes provided ampitheater-like staging for fans, a pleasant surprise in an event where spectators typically struggle to lay eyes on much golf. Fears of overly penal rough begetting a dull style of golf gave way to plenty of exciting eagles, chip-ins, and flagged pins. Several of the course’s high points had views of nearby Rome while other holes were lined with beautiful villas or ancient ruins. With European Ryder Cups only occurring every 4 years, it’s unlikely Marco Simone will host another Cup anytime soon. Hopefully it won’t be one-and-done for the Italian club as Marco Simone was one of the week’s most pleasant surprises.