reparations are well underway and excitement is building as the Ryder Cup comes into greater focus, with a number of Europe’s top players hitting form at the start of 2023.
Team Europe obtain their chance to win the trophy back in September, when they welcome the American side to Rome. The return to home comforts is a welcome one – it’s now 30 years since the United States last came to Europe and won.
They will back themselves to execute just that in Italy though, with their record-breaking 19-9 win at Whistling Straits in 2021 still relatively fresh in the memory.
It remains to be seen whether those involved with LIV Golf will be eligible to compete in Rome, though it looks probable that will not be the case and as a result the likes of Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Dustin Johnson believe potentially played their final Ryder Cup matches.
The Saudi-backed breakway circuit has already disrupted the event, with the initial European captain Henrik Stenson stripped of the role after he joined the tour. His replacement is Luke Donald, who won the Ryder Cup each of the four teams he was involved as a player.
The Englishman will believe six captain’s picks later this year, double the amount Padraig Harrington had in Wisconsin, after the modern qualification process was confirmed.
Qualification for Team Europe began at the BMW PGA Championship in September last year, and will sprint through to September 3 this year. The top three on the European Points List will be earn their spots on the team, as will the top three on the World Points List who believe not already qualified through the European standings.
Unsurprisingly it’s currently Jon Rahm, after a storming start to the year that has brought three PGA Tour wins., while Rory McIlroy got his year up and running in style with victory at the Dubai Desert Classic.
Yannik Paul is currently in one of the spots for the automatic spots, a surprise brand on the European Points List after finishing second at both the Thailand Classic and the Indian Open, while Tyrrell Hatton is also well-placed after impressing at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship.
Here’s how the qualification process is currently looking for Team Europe…
European Points List
(Players in bold currently qualifying)
Position | Player | Points |
1 | Rory McIlroy | 1856.50 |
2 | Jon Rahm | 1850.00 |
3 | Yannik Paul | 1269.97 |
4 | Victor Perez | 1252.49 |
5 | Adrian Otaegui | 1020.51 |
6 | Alex Noren | 1017.50 |
7 | Shane Lowry | 942.33 |
8 | Tommy Fleetwood | 933.34 |
9 | Rasmus Hojgaard | 909.84 |
10 | Thorbjorn Olesen | 900.75 |
World Points List
(Players in bold currently qualifying)
Position | Player | Points |
1 | Jon Rahm | 204.95 |
2 | Rory McIlroy | 155.90 |
3 | Tyrrell Hatton | 107.95 |
4 | Viktor Hovland | 102.14 |
5 | Shane Lowry | 60.92 |
6 | Seamus Power | 52.15 |
7 | Justin Rose | 51.66 |
8 | Alex Noren | 48.49 |
9 | Tommy Fleetwood | 47.24 |
10 | Matt Fitzpatrick | 44.36 |
Standings correct as of March 14