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The eagerly anticipated Ryder Cup takes centre stage this weekend.
The format is as it always has been, with four foursomes and four fourballs on each of the first two days, before all 12 players go head-to-head in the singles on Sunday, meaning there will be 28 points up for grabs in total.
The drama will unfold at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, which is a par-71, 7,181-yard course based northeast of Rome. It is an undulating parkland course, and its testing terrain could well prove difficult for anyone looking to play all five sessions.
Unusually for Europe, the course has paspalum grass fairways, with seventy-six bunkers placed around the course, along with some strategically placed man-made water hazards.
The course has thick fescue rough so accuracy off the tee is as important as ever, while the players must also contend with elevated bentgrass greens with awkward run-off areas.
Europe and USA will be captained by Luke Donald and Zach Johnson respectively, who will be ably supported by five vice-captains apiece, all striving to get the best out of their 12-player teams
Europe- Lucas Aberg
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Tyrrell Hatton
- Nicolai Hojgaard
- Viktor Hovland
- Shane Lowry
- Robert Macintyre
- Rory McIlroy
- Jon Rahm
- Justin Rose
- Sepp Straka
Tommy Fleetwood has been a top player in previous contests and he has been in great form recently.
Viktor Hovland is at the top of his game at present, and that shouldn't change anytime soon.
Rory McIlroy will be looking to show up, but his value might be reduced as he tends to tee off at short odds in matchplay, this type of golf suits Jon Rahm and he has shown recent positive signs that should make him hard to beat.
It isn't clear what Europe’s pairings are despite what the press are suggesting as Luke Donald will mix it up unless one pair is going very well together.
Suggested bet: Jon Rahm to be top European points scorer be top European points scorer
European players to avoidDespite being a winner on this course previously, Robert Macintyre is not in great form, and may be outclassed in this company this week.
Justin Rose may also be past his prime now at the top level, while Sepp Straka is a very streaky golfer and cannot be trusted. However, if the Austrian happens to have saved one of his hot streaks for this weekend, then he could be the surprise package.
USA- Sam Burns
- Patrick Cantlay
- Wyndham Clark
- Rickie Fowler
- Brian Harman
- Max Homa
- Brooks Koepka
- Collin Morikawa
- Xander Schauffele
- Scottie Scheffler
- Jordan Spieth
- Justin Thomas
Brian Harman should relish this course, which is set up to suit his accuracy-over-power approach as well as his dogged competitiveness.
Max Homa has a good record in team competitions for his country and his form is good coming into this week.
Despite their lack of top form in individual tournaments, the pairing of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas looks good, and their previous record together is excellent.
Suggested bet: Max Homa to be top USA points scorer
American players to avoidWyndham Clark was red hot in the summer and won a major, but his form then drifted off and this event might have come at the wrong time for the US Open champion.
Patrick Cantlay doesn't look like much of a team player and can start to miss putts when the pressure is on, his renowned slow play might be as off-putting for his partner as for his opponents.
Rickie Fowler did win a tournament in 2023 after a long barren spell, but like Wyndham Clark, his form drifted off as the year went on.
Justin Thomas got here by the skin of his teeth and isn't a player you'd want to put your house on in the singles.
Suggested bet: USA to win Ryder Cup outright