What to Watch For at the Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup is just a couple of short days away. As we approach the opening tee shot, I’ve picked up on two prevailing sentiments among fans:

1. Palpable excitement for such a special event

2. A bit of exhaustion with how much people are (over)analyzing tactical decisions

Both sentiments are justified. I, too, cannot wait for the opening tee shot on Friday morning. And I, too, think some of the obsession over the minutiae of every possible pairing and the length of each blade of grass is overdone.

In my opinion, mastering the analytical side of the Ryder Cup isn’t about torturing your brain over every last detail. It’s about understanding the relative value of each variable, prioritizing important factors, and then making decisions with conviction and going to bed.

With that in mind, my “What To Watch For” this week is where players miss greens. Amidst all of the chatter about optimal pairings and team chemistry, both of which are important, I think course management is a much bigger factor than many of the things people are shouting about.

Marco Simone Golf and Country Club is full of quirk, and that is perhaps most evident in the shaping, orientation, and undulation of the greens. The greens at Marco Simone are small, angled, and sectioned. Deft touch around these greens, paired with intelligent course management, is required for success at this golf course. Missing greens in the wrong spots will lead to, in many cases, impossible up-and-downs. Short-siding yourself will be a problem.

Watch where players leave approach shots throughout the week at Marco Simone. When I survey the rosters of Team Europe and Team USA, three players stand out in terms of course-management skills: Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, and Matt Fitzpatrick. Pay attention to how these three golfers navigate the golf course in contrast to other players with less calculated strategies, like Jon Rahm and Wyndham Clark. Pay attention to who lays back on the short par 4s versus who goes for the green.

The discussions and debates about the best way to pair players, structure practice rounds, etc., are fun. But when we reflect on this edition of the Ryder Cup, I can foresee a world where the only scrutinized decisions are ones related to pairings, travel arrangements, and other factors unrelated to specific shots. Yet course management might be the most important piece of each team’s game plan.

I encourage you to evaluate how well each team tackles this golf course. Ultimately this may decide who wins the 2023 Ryder Cup.