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Fans wave flags in support of Team USA during the opening ceremony for the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 28, 2023 in Rome, Italy.
CNN
—
Scottie Scheffler wasn’t even born the last time the United States won a Ryder Cup on European soil.
In the 44th edition of golf’s biennial team tournament in Rome last Friday, the world No.
Despite the cleaning an emphatic 19-9 win over Whistling Straits in Wisconsin two years ago, Team USA arrived at the Marco Simone Golf Club knowing they hadn’t returned across the Atlantic with the cup in hand since 1993, when Tom Watson managed a 15-13 victory against Bernard Gallacher on the European side at The Belfry in Warwickshire.
For US captain Zach Johnson, it’s a chance to stop the rot, while for European counterpart Luke Donald, revenge is in the air.
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Watson (center holding trophy) celebrates with his US team after victory at The Belfry in 1993.
Promising “one of the most sophisticated broadcast operations in Ryder Cup history,” organizers said the action would be broadcast in 201 countries around the world.
On Friday and Saturday, US viewers can tune in via the USA Network from 1:30 am ET. At 3 a.m. ET Saturday coverage will switch to NBC, which will also broadcast Sunday’s decisive singles matches from 5:30 a.m.
UK audiences can follow the action on Sky Sports Golf, which will begin coverage at 6 am BST Friday and Saturday before starting at 9 am BST Sunday.
Fans in select regions will also be able to watch the featured groups live on the Ryder Cup website and app.
For more information on how to watch, see the Ryder Cup website HERE.
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Johnson watches Justin Thomas during a practice round.
No surprises here if you caught the Solheim Cup last week, where Europe retained the trophy after a first-ever draw with Spain.
Two teams of 12 – six automatic qualifiers and six captain’s picks – will compete over three days for a total of 28 points, with Friday and Saturday comprising foursomes and four-ball sessions.
Starting at 1:35 am ET (6:35 am BST), mornings are dedicated to four matches – also known as alternate shots – which see two golfers go head-to-head against opposing pairs, which alternating hits of the same ball.
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Rory McIlroy (right) points to Donald (second from left) and other European teammates.
Each match in the tournament is worth one point, with points halved in the event of a tie.
The four-ball games are played in the afternoon from 6:25 am ET (11:25 am BST), where the two vs. two format is resumed, except that each player plays their own ball.
The lowest score recorded by either player in the pair is the one registered for that hole, hence another name for the format, four-ball better-ball (4BBB).
Sunday is a straight shoot-out of 12 singles matches, teeing off every 12 minutes from 5:35 am ET (10:35 am BST), with each team member sent to fight for decisive points.
The team with the most points wins. As defending champions, the United States will retain the cup in the event of a tie, although there has been only one draw since the Great British and Irish team became Team Europe in 1979 – a 14-14 draw at The Belfry in 1989.
Captain: Zach Johnson
Automatic qualifiers: Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Xander Schauffele
Captain’s picks: Sam Burns, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas
Captain: Luke Donald
Automatic qualification: Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick and Robert MacIntyre
Captain’s picks: Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Nicolai Højgaard and Ludvig Aberg