2023 Ryder Cup: TV Times, Schedule, Scoring, Format, How it Works, Rosters, History

The United States Ryder Cup team and captain Zach Johnson travel to the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone in Rome against the host European team captained by Luke Donald.

This is the 44th playing of the biennial matches. The U.S. is the defending champion after a 19-9 win in 2021 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

Here are answers to some of the most-often asked questions around the team event, including scoring and format, TV times, how players make the squads and more.

2023 Ryder Cup Schedule

All times are Eastern and may change based on weather or other delays in Rome (six hours ahead of Eastern time).

Sunday, Oct. 1

Singles matches:

11:35 a.m. (5:35 a.m. ET): Scottie Scheffler (USA) vs. Jon Rahm (Europe)

11:47 a.m. (5:47 a.m. ET): Collin Morikawa (USA) vs. Viktor Hovland (Europe)

11:59 a.m. (5:59 a.m. ET): Patrick Cantlay (USA) vs. Justin Rose (Europe)

12:11 p.m. (6:11 a.m. ET): Sam Burns (USA) vs. Rory McIlroy (Europe) 

12:23 p.m. (6:23 a.m. ET): Max Homa (USA) vs. Matt Fitzpatrick (Europe)

12:35 p.m. (6:35 a.m. ET): Brian Harman (USA) vs. Tyrrell Hatton (Europe)

12:47 p.m. (6:47 a.m. ET): Brooks Koepka (USA) vs. Ludvig Aberg (Europe)

12:59 p.m. (6:59 a.m. ET): Justin Thomas (USA) vs. Sepp Straka (Europe)

1:11 p.m. (7:11 a.m. ET): Xander Schauffele (USA) vs. Nicolai Hojgaard (Europe)

1:23 p.m. (7:23 a.m. ET): Jordan Spieth (USA) vs. Shane Lowry (Europe)

1:35 p.m. (7:35 a.m. ET): Rickie Fowler (USA) vs. Tommy Fleetwood (Europe)

How Does a Team Win the Ryder Cup?

The first team to reach 14 ½ points wins the Ryder Cup. If the matches end in a 14-14 tie, the team holding the Ryder Cup retains it. The U.S. team is the defending champion and will retain the cup if the matches at Marco Simone end in a tie.

Each match is worth one point. Ties are worth a 1/2-point to each side.

The three days of the matches consist of 28 total matches, each of which is worth one point. There are no playoffs in Ryder Cup matches. Ties result in a half point for each team.

What Is the TV Schedule for the 2023 Ryder Cup?

This is the TV schedule for the 2023 Ryder Cup. All times are Eastern. You can watch all Ryder Cup matches on the USA Network and NBC.

The first day is foursomes and fourball from 1:30 a.m. to noon, Friday, Sept. 29, on USA Network.

The second day is foursomes and fourball from 1:30 a.m. to 3 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, on USA Network and from 3 a.m. to noon on NBC.

The final day of 12 singles matches is from 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1, on NBC.

2023 Ryder Cup TV schedule

• Friday, Sept. 29: 1:30-noon, USA Network

• Saturday, Sept. 30: 1:30-3 a.m. on USA Network and 3 a.m.-noon on NBC.

• Sunday, Oct. 1: 5:30 a.m.-5 p.m., NBC

You can watch featured groups stream on RyderCup.com or by downloading the official Ryder Cup app.

What's the 'Envelope Rule' at the Ryder Cup?

From the AP's Doug Ferguson: "At some point Saturday evening as the captains are filling out their lineups for the final session of singles matches, they are required to put one name in the envelope. That player would sit out and be given a half-point if someone on the other team can’t play because of injury."

That is expanded to four names this year because of the pandemic. Captains will submit three additional names in a second envelope to be used only if players have to withdraw because of COVID.

When is the 2023 Ryder Cup?

The matches in the 2023 Ryder Cup start Friday, Sept. 29, and finish on Sunday, Oct 1. There is plenty of hoopla before then, of course, including practice rounds and the opening ceremonies. That is when the captains will announce their pairings for the next day

When is the 2023 Ryder Cup opening ceremony?

The opening ceremony is Thursday, Sept. 28.

What Is the Ryder Cup?

The Ryder Cup is a competition between a team from the United States and one from Europe that is played every other year, usually. The 2020 Ryder Cup was postponed because of the pandemic. The first Ryder Cup was played in 1927. The competition has been in its modern format since 1979 and features both fourball and foursome matches on Friday and Saturday and singles matches on Sunday. Fourball means every player plays his ball and posts a score. Lowest score wins a hole. Foursomes feature alternating shots, lowest score wins the hole.

Where is the 2023 Ryder Cup?

The 2023 Ryder Cup is at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy. The location of the Ryder Cup alternates between Europe and the United States. The 2021 Ryder Cup was at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The 2025 event will be at Bethpage Black in New York.

How are the Ryder Cup teams made?

The 2023 U.S. Team is made up of the top six in the points rankings with six captain's picks. These are the American players who qualified automatically:

Scottie Scheffler
Wyndham Clark
Brian Harman
Patrick Cantlay
Max Homa
Xander Schauffele

These are the captain's picks Zach Johnson announced Aug. 29:

Sam Burns
Rickie Fowler
Collin Morikawa
Brooks Koepka
Jordan Spieth
Justin Thomas

Players earned points based on money won in major championships, WGC events and regular PGA Tour events.

The European Team is made up of the first three players from the Ryder Cup European Points list (Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Robert MacIntyre) followed by the leading three players from the Ryder Cup World Points list (Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick). Captain Luke Donald made his six captain's picks Sept. 4 when he added Ludvig Aberg, Tommy Fleetwood, Nicolai Hojgaard, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose and Sepp Straka.

Who's on the 2023 American Ryder Cup roster?

1. Scottie Scheffler (previous Ryder Cups: 2021)

Age: 27

World ranking: 1

SI Golf World Rankings: 1

Ryder Cup record: 2-0-1

Career victories: 6

2023 victories: WM Phoenix Open, Players Championship

Majors: Masters (2022)

2. Wyndham Clark (rookie)

Age: 29

World ranking: 10

SI Golf World Rankings: 9

Ryder Cup record: Rookie

Career victories: 25

2023 victories: Wells Fargo Championship, U.S. Open

Majors: U.S. Open (2023)

3. Brian Harman (rookie)

Age: 28

World ranking: 9

SI Golf World Rankings: 7

Ryder Cup record: Rookie

Career victories: 3

2023 victories: British Open

Majors: British Open (2023)

4. Patrick Cantlay (2021)

Age: 31

World ranking: 5

SI Golf World Rankings: 6

Ryder Cup record: 3-0-1

Career victories: 8

2023 victories: None

Majors: None

5. Max Homa (rookie)

Age: 32

World ranking: 7

SI Golf World Rankings: 11 

Ryder Cup record: Rookie

Career victories: 6

2023 victories: Farmers Insurance Open

Majors: None

6. Xander Schauffele (2021)

Age: 29

World ranking: 6

SI Golf World Rankings: 8 

Ryder Cup record: 3-1-0.

Career victories: 7

2023 victories: None

Majors: None

7. Brooks Koepka (2016, 2018, 2021)

Age: 33

World ranking: 15

SI Golf World Rankings: 5 

Ryder Cup record: 6-5-1

Career victories: 11

2023 victories: LIV Golf Orlando, PGA Championship.

Majors: U.S. Open (2017, 2018), PGA Championship (2018, 2019, 2023).

8. Collin Morikawa (2021)

Age: 26.

World ranking: 19.

SI Golf World Rankings:

Ryder Cup record: 3-0-1.

Career victories: 5.

2022 victories: None.

Majors: PGA Championship (2020), British Open (2021).

9. Sam Burns (rookie)

Age: 27.

World ranking: 20

SI World Golf Rankings: 21 

Ryder Cup record: Rookie.

Career victories: 5.

2023 victories: WGC-Dell Match Play

Majors: None.

10. Justin Thomas (2018, 2021)

Age: 30

World ranking: 24

SI World Golf Rankings: 61 

Ryder Cup record: 6-2-1

Career victories: 15

2023 victories: None

Majors: PGA Championship (2017).

Ryder Cup partners: Jordan Spieth (3-1-0).

11. Jordan Spieth (2014, 2016, 2018, 2021)

Age: 30

World ranking: 12

SI World Golf Rankings: 15 

Ryder Cup record: 8-7-3.

Career victories: 13

2023 victories: None

Majors: Masters (2015), U.S. Open (2015), British Open (2017).

12. Rickie Fowler (2010, 2014, 2016, 2018)

Age: 34

World ranking: 25

SI World Golf Rankings: 20 

Ryder Cup record: 3-7-5

Career victories: 6

2023 victories: Rocket Mortgage Classic

Majors: None.

Who's on the 2023 European Ryder Cup team?

1. Jon Rahm (previous Ryder Cups: 2018, 2021)

Country: Spain.

Age: 28

World ranking: 3

SI World Golf Rankings: 3

Ryder Cup record: 4-3-1.

Career victories: 19.

2023 victories: The American Express, Genesis Invitational, Masters

Majors: U.S. Open (2021), Masters (2023).

2. Rory McIlroy (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021)

Country: Northern Ireland.

Age: 34

World ranking: 2

SI World Golf Rankings: 2

Ryder Cup record: 12-12-4

Career victories: 33

2023 victories: Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Genesis Scottish Open

Majors: U.S. Open (2011), PGA Championship (2012, 2014), British Open (2014)

3. Viktor Hovland (2021)

Country: Norway.

Age: 25

World ranking: 4

SI World Golf Rankings: 4

Ryder Cup record: 0-3-2

Career victories: 8

2023 victories: Memorial Tournament, BMW Championship, Tour Championship

4. Matt Fitzpatrick (2016, 2021)

Country: England.

Age: 29

World ranking: 8

SI World Golf Rankings: 16

Ryder Cup record: 0-5-0.

Career victories: 9

2023 victories: RBC Heritage

Majors: U.S. Open (2023)

5. Tyrrell Hatton (2018, 2021)

Country: England.

Age: 31

World ranking: 11

SI World Golf Rankings: 12

Ryder Cup record: 2-4-1.

Career victories: 7

2023 victories: None

Majors: None

6. Robert MacIntyre (rookie)

Country: Scotland.

Age: 27

World ranking: 55

SI World Golf Rankings: 103

Ryder Cup record: Rookie

Career victories: 2

2022 victories: None

Majors: None

7. Tommy Fleetwood (2018, 2021)

Country: England

Age: 32

World ranking: 14

SI World Golf Rankings: 14

Ryder Cup record: 4-2-2

Career victories: 6

2023 victories: None

Majors: None

8. Sepp Straka (rookie)

Country: Austria

Age: 30

World ranking: 22

SI World Golf Rankings: 23

Ryder Cup record: Rookie

Career victories: 2

2023 victories: John Deere Classic

Majors: None.

9. Ludvig Aberg (rookie)

Country: Sweden

Age: 23

World ranking: 80

SI World Golf Rankings: 106

Ryder Cup record: Rookie.

Career victories: 1

2023 victories: Omega European Masters

Majors: None.

10. Justin Rose (2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)

Country: England

Age: 43

World ranking: 36

SI World Golf Rankings: 45

Ryder Cup record: 13-8-2

Career victories: 19

2023 victories: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Majors: U.S. Open (2013)

11. Shane Lowry (2021)

Country: Ireland.

Age: 36

World ranking: 63

SI World Golf Rankings: 45

Ryder Cup record: 1-2-0

Career victories: 6

2023 victories: None

Majors: British Open (2019).

12. Nicolai Hojgaard (rookie)

Country: Denmark

Age: 22

World ranking: 81

SI World Golf Rankings: 125

Ryder Cup record: Rookie

Career victories: 2

2023 victories: None

Majors: None

What is the format of Ryder Cup matches?

The first two days of competition feature fourball and foursomes matches. The order is determined by the home captain. The third day consists of 12 singles matches.

• In fourball, each member of a two-man team plays his own ball, so four balls are in play on every hole. Each team counts the lowest of its two scores on each hole, and the team whose player has the lowest score wins the hole. If the low scores are tied, the hole is halved.
• In foursomes, each two-man team plays one ball per hole with the players taking turns until each hole is complete. Players alternate hitting tee shots, with one leading off on odd-numbered holes, and the other hitting first on even-numbered holes. The team with the low score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved.
• In singles, each match features one player from each team. The player with the lower score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved.
• Unlike stroke play, players don't have to complete each hole in match play. If a player concedes a stroke—almost always a putt—to his opponent, the opponent picks up his ball, takes the score he would have made on the next stroke and moves on to the next hole.

Past results of the Ryder Cup

The American team leads in victories, 27-14.

Year, Site, Score, Winner

2021, Whistling Straits, 19-9, USA

2018, Le Golf National, 17 ½,-10 ½, Europe

2016, Hazeltine National GC, 17-11, USA

2014, Gleneagles Resort, 16 ½,-11 ½, Europe

2012, Medinah CC, 14 ½-13 ½, Europe

2010, Celtic Manor Resort, 14 ½-13 ½, Europe

2008, Valhalla Golf Club, 16 ½-11 ½, USA

2006, The K Club, Straffan, 18 ½-9 ½, Europe

2004, Oakland Hills CC, 18 ½-9 ½, Europe

2002, The Belfry, 15½-12 ½, Europe

1999, The Country Club, 14 ½-13 ½, USA

1997, Valderrama GC, 14 ½-13 ½, Europe

1995, Oak Hill CC, 14 ½- 13 ½, Europe

1993, The Belfry, 15-13, USA

1991, The Ocean Course, 14 ½-13 ½, USA

1989, The Belfry, 14-14, Europe

1987, Muirfield Village GC, 15-13, Europe

1985, The Belfry, 16 ½-11 ½, Europe

1983, PGA National GC, 14 ½-13 ½, USA

1981, Walton Health GC, 18 ½-9 ½, USA

1979, The Greenbrier, 17-11, USA

1977, Royal Lytham & St. Annes, 12 ½-7 ½, USA

1975, Laurel Valley GC, 21-11, USA

1973, Muirfield, 19-13,USA

1971, Old Warson CC, 18 ½-13 ½, USA

1969, Royal Birkdale GC, 16-16, Great Britain

1967, Champions GC, 23 ½-8 ½, USA

1965, Royal Birkdale GC, 19 ½-12 ½, USA

1963, East Lake CC, 23-9, USA

1961, Royal Lytham & St. Annes, 14 ½-9 ½, USA

1959, Eldorado CC, 8 ½-3 ½, USA

1957, Lindrick GC, 7½-4½, Great Britain

1955, Thunderbird CC, 8-4, USA

1953, Wentworth GC, 6 ½-5 ½, USA

1951, Pinehurst CC, 9 ½-2 ½, USA

1949, Ganton GC, 7-5, USA

1947, Portland Golf Club, 11-1, USA

1937, Southport & Ainsdale GC, 8-4, USA

1935, Ridgewood CC, 9-3, USA

1933, Southport & Ainsdale GC, 6½-5½, Great Britain

1931, Scioto CC, 9-3, USA

1929, Moortown GC, 7-5, Great Britain

1927, Worcester CC, 9 ½-2 ½, USA