Rome is no stranger to an epic battle – and the 2023 Ryder Cup could soon write itself into the Eternal City’s legend.
On Friday, the first tee at Marco Simone will become a Colosseum as one of the most highly-anticipated matches between Europe and the USA begins.
The Americans arrive after a record-breaking triumph in Wisconsin two years ago, but this European team is different.
They boast an equally talented team, rejuvenated by some of the game’s best young talent – and this is on their turf.
Thursday’s opening ceremony reminded the Americans they are on enemy soil and the loudest fans in golf will make their presence felt.
As will Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist, who are entertaining fans under the House of Peroni with a live broadcast of the talkSPORT Breakfast show in the Ryder Cup fan village as the action gets underway.
The golf-mad duo, along with our expert team of reporters on the ground in Italy, are predicting a thriller…
Ally McCoist (Scotland legend and Breakfast Show co-host)
“It’s interesting and I’ll be brutally honest with you… If you asked me four weeks ago, I would’ve strongly fancied the Americans. However, as the days have gone nearer to the competition, I’ve switched.
“I fancy the Europeans. I hope it’s not my heart ruling my head. But home advantage, the crowd – that clearly plays a massive factor.
“Then I look at the teams, the American team is strong, there’s no doubt about it – but we’ve got some great players. We’ve got three of the top four players in the world with Viktor Hovland, Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Ludvig Aberg as well. He’s the talk of the town. So I fancy the Europeans to win. But like Dame Laura Davies said on talkSPORT Breakfast this morning, it will be very close.
“For us to win, we’ve got to have a couple of star performers. McIlroy will have to play extremely well and a couple of the boys will have to step up to the mark. But I think we’ll do it.
“I’ve seen Bob MacIntyre up at Loch Lomand. I’m just so pleased for him, as is the rest of our home nation. I really, genuinely want him to do well. He’s a brilliant guy. It’s fantastic what he’s doing. More power to him.
“He’s really likeable. Clearly, he’s extremely talented. Having a Scottish representative at the Ryder Cup… we’re just so proud of him.”
Alan Brazil (Scotland legend and Breakfast Show host)
“I think it’s so close that it could even be a tie! But I’m going to back Europe.
“With the home advantage… talking to all the punters here, they’re so up for it. And I think the team will be as well.
“We need to get off to a good start, but I just think you go back to 1993, the last time the Americans won on European soil, and that will be in the back of their heads.
“We can beat them but it will be very tight. Sunday is going to be awesome.
“I don’t want to put pressure on Rory, but if he can go out early and get us off to a good start… the big three is Hovland, Rahm and Rory.
“If they can get us off to good starts, then the rest will follow. Aberg is fantastic as well, isn’t he? I don’t think anything fazes him. So I’m looking forward to seeing him as well.”
“I think 15½ to 12½ to Europe will be the final score. It will be close but not epically close.
“Europe have enough. We’ve spoken about how the USA have been maybe dipping in certain areas, while Europe have done the exact opposite and just peaked at the right time.
“They’ve largely chosen the right squad, with one or two aside. I think it will be enough.
“My tip for a surprise performer is Matt Fitzpatrick. He struggled in 2016, he did improve second time around, but it was a very tough baptism of fire for everyone in 2021.
“With a major victory under his belt, and the fact his long game is so much better… he’s filled out, he’s more confident and he’s won since on the PGA Tour. There is so much Matt now exudes and I’ve got a feeling he will start getting a good Ryder Cup record together.
“He’s got Walker Cup and American Amateur pedigree so he’s got it in his locker. He’s maturing and hitting his peak at the right time on a course that probably suits his game.
“For my blockbusting star, I don’t think you can look past Hovland. We’ve seen him practising and every time, he looks incredible. His long game looks beautiful and he’s constantly in front of us on the chipping green, always working.
“He spoke in his press conference about how much he’s put into the improvement of his chipping technique. The confidence finally grew for him to impart that out on the course, it’s become second nature.
“That was the one chink in his armour and it seems to be fully solved. He’s the FedEx Cup champion and he’s such a character as well. He seems so happy and at ease, you saw that in his playful gaunt to the players’ meal on Wednesday.
“He’s in a really good head-space, a rich vein of form, and he’s really loved in this environment.”
“I hope my heart is not ruling my head here, but I do think the European team feel as if they’ve come into this event with better form than the Americans.
“I think there are some weaknesses with the American line-up and that’s almost reflected by the fact that Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth aren’t in the opening foursome, so there’s some negativity I think going around that combination.
“Luke Donald is really wanting to hit the ground running and I hope he’s right that they get off to a fast start. They need to – and so I think they’ve got grounds for optimism.
“I’m going to give Europe the win, 15-13. The fact is Aberg has gone straight out there suggests to me that they think he’s going to be a formidable player and I’m so excited to see how he copes. He’s not being hidden under the bushel, he’s gone straight in.
“From the Americans’ point of view, I think you can spread the net far and wide. I don’t know which one is going to be the star but I think Xander Schaufele and Patrick Cantlay are clearly a formidable team. But they might come up against it in that last one in the foursomes (against McIlroy and Fleetwood).
“Overall, Aberg just could be the surprise star. It’s not original but I just think he’s cut with a different cloth, seeing his demeanour and everything.“Him and Hovland, who I think will come of age this year as the star player as he’s proved all year. With Aberg alongside him, Europe might just have something that could inspire them to victory.”
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