Ryder Cup notebook: Rory McIlroy, early success for Europe, Novak Djokovic, Gareth Bale and more!

Who will impress for Team Europe in Rome? Can Luke Donald’s side win back the trophy against Zach Johnson’s American team? Watch the opening day on Friday from 6am on Sky Sports Golf, with the first tee at 6.35am

Will Rory McIlroy wear a hat for Team Europe? Which celebrities struggled in the all-star match? A look at the latest storylines from Rome ahead of the Ryder Cup, live from Friday on Sky Sports.

Hatless Rory

The sight of Rory McIlroy playing without a cap has become synonymous with recent Ryder Cups, prompting many to suggest he should play without a cap more often.

I have reliably heard from the man himself that Marco Simone’s ranking will be limited this time for all three days.

Rory McIlroy plays alongside Tommy Fleetwood on the opening day of the Ryder Cup in Rome

During Tuesday’s practice round, Rory played without a cap and found the Roman heat far too energy-consuming. Unfortunately, unlike Paris five years ago and Hazeltine two years before that, this time around those famous curly locks will be covered up.

Europe’s youth are shining

It had been seventeen years since Europe had won the Junior Ryder Cup, until Stephen Gallacher’s team not only won, but did so emphatically, with a score of 20.5-9.5 against their American counterparts.

Considering that the likes of McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas all made it in the junior edition of the Ryder Cup, it stands to reason that some of the young players responsible for this year’s crushing victory will be playing on both the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup teams of the future, as well as achieving major championships.

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Andrea Revuelta holed the winning putt for the Team Europe Junior Ryder Cup team at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club as they lifted the trophy and ended a run of six consecutive defeats!

Additional demands on Team Europe

One player said to me during Thursday’s final practice round while walking with him that it had been an exhausting week before a ball had even been hit.

Ryder Cups have become such huge events that the build-up is dominated by players pulled in all directions. In addition to practice rounds, there will be gala dinners, numerous media engagements, team meetings and the opening ceremony.

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Conor Moore has perfected some golf world impressions, helping to preview the Ryder Cup with Tiger Woods, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia.

Particularly given the predicted temperatures for this weekend, conserving energy – both physically and mentally – will be crucial and I find it difficult to see any player going all five sessions.

Mixed fortunes for famous stars

On Wednesday we saw what has now become the traditional curtain raiser for the main event: the celebrity all-star match.

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Watch the worst shots from the Ryder Cup All Star Match, including shots from Novak Djokovic, Gareth Bale and Kathryn Newton.

We saw Gareth Bale giving an impromptu lesson to Novak Djokovic on the driving range. And it seemed to work!

Despite being only a 14 handicapper and with the added pressure of Justin Thomas watching, having just stepped onto the first tee to greet the 24-time Grand Slam winner, Djoko piped his opening tee shot straight down the middle from the first fairway. to thunderous applause.

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Gareth Bale gives Novak Djokovic a golf lesson ahead of the Ryder Cup All-Star match at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.

But poor Andriy Shevchenko, who (apologies for the shameless humble brag) I have played with in the past and therefore know to be an extremely talented golfer, hit a wild block that landed on a neighboring fairway.

Still preferable to Carlos Sainz’s effort, a low carabiner that sent spectators running for cover!

What’s next?

Friday’s Ryder Cup action kicks off at 6.35am BST, with the foursomes matches starting at 15-minute intervals and the final at 7.20am. The fourballs action then starts at 12.25 pm.

The timing remains the same for the Saturday sessions, with all 24 players then involved in the Sunday singles. The opening match starts on Sunday at 10.35am UK time.

Who will win the 2023 Ryder Cup? Watch this week exclusively live on Sky Sports! Live coverage of opening day begins at 6am on Friday, ahead of the first start time at 6.35am. Stream the Ryder Cup and more for £21 per month for six months with NOW.