Sky Sports Golf podcast – Ryder Cup preview: Team USA form, Europe’s hopes and possible pairings

Former major champion Rich Beem and Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston join Josh Antmann for a special Ryder Cup edition of the Sky Sports Golf podcast; Watch the opening day live on Sky Sports Golf on Friday from 6am

The lack of competitive golf in the US before the Ryder Cup, the pressure on the Americans to make history and Europe’s hopes of reclaiming the trophy are all discussed in a special edition of the Sky Sports Golf podcast.

Former major champion Rich Beem and former Open de Espana winner Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston join regular host Josh Antmann as they look ahead to this week’s match at Marco Simone Golf Club, as Team Europe look to regain the trophy after a record 2021 loss.

Europe enters the event as slight underdogs despite winning the last seven home editions of the biennial competition, although Beem believes Team USA can retain the trophy and claim a first away win since 1993.

“If the US team can keep the crowd quiet that will be their biggest asset, but they couldn’t do that last time in France,” Beem told the Sky Sports Golf podcast. “Different team, different conditions, different golf course, and I like their chances this year just because of the golf course position.

“The Americans are thinking about winning the golf course and not thinking about the 30 years. They will both have their different motivations. As long as the Americans embrace the golf course and don’t get frustrated, I think they will win 15 years.” -13.”

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Luke Donald, Team Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at their team room at Marco Simone Golf Course.

Only three of the U.S. Ryder Cup teams have played competitively since the Tour Championship, with Justin Thomas joining Max Homa at the Fortinet Championship and Brooks Koepka in the LIV Golf League, although Beem believes a lack of tournament golf won’t be an issue.

“It’s not a long week for golf, it’s all the other things you have to do outside of golf,” Beem added. “The social obligations, like dinner and then the gala dinner and then the opening ceremony. It’s not like you have a lot of time to yourself and that’s the one thing that professional golfers enjoy the most, but not this week.

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Dame Laura Davies joins Dharmesh Sheth on the 18th hole of the Marco Simone course as she predicts there will be a nail-biting finish to this year’s Ryder Cup.

“Having a few weeks off will help most guys. Let’s face it, it’s a long summer and a lot of golfers played from March through East Lake (in September).”

The guests discuss which team will face the most pressure this week in Rome and which players can have the biggest impact on their lineup, and try to explain what type of captains Zach Johnson and Luke Donald will be.

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We explain why the Ryder Cup opening hole is ‘unique’ and what players will expect at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

They predict the possible combinations for the opening day and look at the challenges the course will present to the players this week, as well as the impact the home crowd could have on the European title hopes.

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Live coverage of the opening day of the Ryder Cup starts from 6am on Friday on Sky Sports Golf. There will also be live content every day leading up to the tournament. Stream the PGA Tour, DP Tour, Ryder Cup and more NOW.