Who is playing for Team Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup?

Who are the 12 players in Team Europe for the 2023 Ryder Cup?

Team Europe haven’t lost a ‘home’ Ryder Cup in 30 years, but who are the 12 men tasked with maintaining that run at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome?

European captain Luke Donald will be hoping his 12 charges can turn things around after a comprehensive defeat last time out, with the hosts emerging 19-9 winners at Whistling Straits in 2021. Team USA’s 12 players look strong once again, but home advantage means the odds are in Europe’s favor. But who is playing for Europe in the 44th Ryder Cup and what do their records look like?

Here’s our guide to all 12 men who will slip on the yellow and blue in Italy from September 29 to October 1.

Ryder Cup 2023: Who are the 12 team Europe players

Rory McIlroy – Ryder Cup record and stats

Age: 34
World ranking: 2nd
Professional wins: 37
Major wins: 4
Ryder Cups played: 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021
Matches won: 12
Matches halved: 4
Matches lost: 12

The first name on the team sheet, even if he was pointless through the first two days at Whistling Straits. A tearful interview following his emphatic defeat of Xander Schauffele in the singles was a potent reminder of how much the Ryder Cup means to him. He also has six wins and seven Major Championship top 10s in the last two years.

Jon Rahm – Ryder Cup record and stats

Age: 28
World ranking: 3rd
Professional wins: 20
Major wins: 2
Ryder Cups played: 2018, 2021
Matches won: 4
Matches halved: 2
Matches lost: 3

Pointless through the first two days of his debut in 2018, Rahmbo’s been superb since then, defeating Tiger Woods on that famous Sunday in Paris, then top-scoring at Whistling Straits with 3.5 points from his five matches. Key to the latter performance was his stellar partnership with Sergio Garcia, so finding a solid replacement will be vital. If our Ryder Cup Europe pairing predictions are to be trusted, we’ll see him with Tyrrell Hatton, so let’s hope the global broadcasters keep a close finger on the curse bleeper.

Viktor Hovland – Ryder Cup record and stats

Age: 26
World ranking: 5th
Professional wins: 8
Major wins: 0
Ryder Cups played: 2021
Matches won: 0
Matches halved: 2
Matches lost: 3

A lot was asked of the Norweigen on debut – not only playing all five matches, but having three different partners on the first two days – so he should be given a break for earning only two halves.

Moreover, he was a fine player then and he has attained elite-level status since with top-20 finishes in each of his last five Major Championship starts. Two wins in his last two starts on the PGA Tour has netted him a staggering $21.6 million and made the reigning FedEx Cup champion a man to be feared.

Tyrrell Hatton – Ryder Cup record and stats

Age: 31
World ranking: 14th
Professional wins: 10
Major wins: 0
Ryder Cups played: 2018, 2021
Matches won: 2
Matches halved: 1
Matches lost: 4

His temperament may not be for everyone, but he’s emerged as one of the most consistent performers on tour, with nine top-six finishes dating back to December. His strokes gained stats have been insanely good across the board, though it is a concern that in two Ryder Cups, and this year’s Hero Cup, he has struggled to settle into a partnership.

Matt Fitzpatrick – Ryder Cup record and stats

Age: 29
World ranking: 9th
Professional wins: 9
Major wins: 1
Ryder Cups played: 2016, 2021
Matches won: 0
Matches halved: 0
Matches lost: 5

The Englishman has a rotten record in the Ryder Cup, but in terms of turning around performance anomalies, he has history because his Major record was poor ahead of a triumphant 2022 that included victory in the US Open. His distance gains have taken his game to new heights, and his laser-like accuracy makes him a perfect foursomes partner. He’s also determined to win his first points for Europe in 2023.

Robert MacIntyre – Ryder Cup record and stats

Age: 27
World ranking: 56th
Professional wins: 3
Major wins: 0
Ryder Cups played: None

After narrowly missing out in 2021, the likable Scotsman responded two weeks later with victory on the Ryder Cup course at the Italian Open. However, while solid thereafter, he only reintroduced himself to the reckoning when carding a 64, peppered with sensational shots, that nearly pinched the Scottish Open from Rory McIlroy. He ended up snatching the third and final qualification spot on the European points list.

Shane Lowry – Ryder Cup record and stats

Age: 36
World ranking: 30th
Professional wins: 6
Major wins: 1
Ryder Cups played: 2021
Matches won: 1
Matches halved: 0
Matches lost: 2

The 2019 Open champion is known as a relentless top-25 finisher in Majors, but he has struggled for form this season and needed a captain’s pick after missing the FedEx Cup Playoffs with just two top 10s to his name. He has the personality to thrive in matchplay, but his record is surprisingly poor. He got nothing out of January’s Hero Cup, and has never advanced past the group stage of the WGC Match Play.

Tommy Fleetwood – Ryder Cup record and stats

Age: 32
World ranking: 23rd
Professional wins: 9
Major wins: 0
Ryder Cups played: 2018, 2021
Matches won: 4
Matches halved: 2
Matches lost: 2

After the glory of Paris, when he played five and won four, he was underused at Whistling Straits. He halved two of three matches there, losing the other on the 18th. His form has been excellent in 2023, only lacking a winning flourish, and he relished his captaincy at the Hero Cup. It’s just a shame he won’t be reprising his partnership with home favorite and vice-captain, Francesco Molinari.

Justin Rose – Ryder Cup record and stats

Age: 43
World ranking: 34th
Professional wins: 25
Major wins: 1
Ryder Cups played: 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018
Matches won: 13
Matches halved: 2
Matches lost: 8

The 2013 US Open champion has enjoyed a career revival in 2023, one that was kicked off by victory in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. His experience as the oldest member of the team should be invaluable to Luke Donald. He was Europe’s top-scorer in the victory at Gleneagles in 2014 and also a key member of the Paris triumph in 2018. Reuniting with former caddie Mark ‘Fooch’ Fulcher could also prove vital.

Sepp Straka – Ryder Cup record and stats

Age: 30
World ranking: 24th
Professional wins: 3
Major wins: 0
Ryder Cups played: None

The Austrian with a foot in both camps (his mother is American) made a winning breakthrough on the PGA Tour in last year’s Honda Classic and has taken his game to another level in 2023. He was seventh in the PGA Championship, carded a sensational 62 to win the John Deere Classic, and was an impressive runner-up in The Open at Hoylake.

Nicolai Hojgaard – Ryder Cup record and stats

Age: 22
World ranking: 80th
Professional wins: 2
Major wins: 0
Ryder Cups played: None

A surprise pick ahead of Adrian Meronk perhaps, but the big-hitting Dane is a prodigious young talent with the second-best scoring average on the DP World Tour.

He broke through in September 2021, beating Tommy Fleetwood and Adrian Meronk by one to claim the Italian Open, and followed it up with another impressive victory in February 2022 at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship. A succession of missed cuts thereafter stunted his momentum, but a quiet return to form this season has seen him register two top-fives in as many starts and a T-6 finish at the Scottish Open.

Ludvig Aberg – Ryder Cup record and stats

Age: 22
World ranking: 91st
Professional wins: 1
Major wins: 0
Ryder Cups played: None

‘Who is Ludvig Aberg?‘ we heard many people ask when he was named in the team. The Swedish star was a sensation in amateur golf, topping the World Ranking, becoming just the second two-time winner of the Ben Hogan Award (for best college golfer in the US), and finishing first in the PGA Tour University points standings to earn a card through to 2024.

He turned pro in June and timed his first DP World Tour win perfectly, bagging the Omega European Masters just as Luke Donald was finalizing his picks.

Ryder Cup 2023: Team Europe’s 12 players

🇪🇺 Rory McIlroy (Qualified)
🇪🇺 Jon Rahm (Qualified)
🇪🇺 Viktor Hovland (Qualified)
🇪🇺 Tyrrell Hatton (Qualified)
🇪🇺 Matt Fitzpatrick (Qualified)
🇪🇺 Robert MacIntyre (Qualified)
🇪🇺 Shane Lowry (Captain’s Pick)
🇪🇺 Tommy Fleetwood (Captain’s Pick)
🇪🇺 Justin Rose (Captain’s Pick)
🇪🇺 Sepp Straka (Captain’s Pick)
🇪🇺 Nicolai Hojgaard (Captain’s Pick)
🇪🇺 Ludvig Aberg (Captain’s Pick)

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– Ryder Cup 2023 Course Guide
– What golf balls are players using at the Ryder Cup?

About the author

Michael Catling
Today’s Golfer Features Editor

Michael Catling is Today’s Golfer‘s Features Editor and an award-winning journalist who specializes in golf’s Majors and Tours, including DP World, PGA, LPGA, and LIV.

Michael joined Today’s Golfer in 2016 and has traveled the world to attend the game’s biggest events and secure exclusive interviews with dozens of Major champions, including Jack Nicklaus, Jordan Spieth, Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Gary Player, and Justin Thomas.

A former member of Ufford Park and Burghley Park, Michael has been playing golf since he was 11 and currently plays off a handicap of 10.

Away from golf he’s a keen amateur chef and has his own healthy recipes website. He also loves playing squash, going to the gym, and following Chelsea FC.

Michael uses a Ping G driver, Ping G 3-wood, Ping G Crossover 3-iron, Ping G Series irons (4-PW), Ping Glide wedges (52º, 56º, 60º), TaylorMade MySpider Tour Putter, and Srixon AD333 golf ball.

Get in touch with Michael via email and follow him on Twitter.