For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up for what should be a thrilling Ryder Cup.

1. How valuable is Marco Simone to the European team?

Max Schreiber for RyderCup.com…”Firstly, the Europeans possess more experience at Marco Simone than their American counterparts, as the DP World Tour’s Italian Open has been staged there since 2021. Many of Europe’s top players have performed well in the event, while nobody on this year’s U.S. Team had played the course before their scouting trip earlier this month.”

• “The European team has two Italian Open winners, Nicolai Højgaard (2021) and Robert MacIntyre, who beat Ryder Cup teammate Matt Fitzpatrick in a playoff in 2022. Plus, Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood all have top tens at Marco Simone.”

• “And sense a common theme from those players? Yes, they’re all top-notch drivers of the golf ball.”

• “Højgaard is second on the DPWT this season in strokes gained: off-the-tee, while MacIntyre is 14th. On the PGA Tour, Fleetwood was 31st in that category and Hatton was 13th. Meanwhile, McIlroy just broke the Tour record for average driving distance in a season at 326.3 yards.”

2. Tiger’s Ryder Cup role

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard…”Woods was a member of the task force that overhauled the U.S. Ryder Cup process following the 2014 matches and he’s remained engaged with Team USA even as his ability to compete has been limited by injury…”

• “He’s always in the inner-circle, and at this point it’s more encouragement on his side, whether he’s texting the guys or texting the vice captains and captains, he’s there to encourage because he’s very invested in what we do year-in and year-out with Team USA, and that has never ceased and I’m grateful for that,” U.S. captain Zach Johnson said Monday at Marco Simone. “He’s the best player of our generation. Thankfully he’s an American. We are going to utilize his knowledge and his wisdom and his candor and his passion the best we can.”

3. Tiger caddies for Charlie en route to junior tourney win

Christian Arnold for the NY Post…”Charlie Woods added another accomplishment to his burgeoning golf career, with a little help from his dad.”

• “Charlie — with Tiger Woods caddying — earned a spot in the Notah Begay III National Championship on Sunday.”

• “He finished 6-under 66 to win the 14-15 age division of the Last Chance Regional.”

• “It’s great. We just stay in our own little world,” Charlie, 14, said about his dad caddying for him. “We take it one shot at a time. He puts me in my place. I’ll talk about the next tee shot and he’s like, ‘No. This is the shot we’re going to focus on. Focus up. This is what we’re gonna do.’”

4. New putting coach for Scheffler

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard…”After spending much of this season answering questions about his putting issues, Scottie Scheffler has gone in a new direction to find answers.”

• “Scheffler was spotted working with putting coach Phil Kenyon on Monday at the Ryder Cup. According to Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis, Scheffler started working with Kenyon last week in Dallas.”

• “Scheffler’s putting issues have been well-documented this season with the world No. 1 finishing the year first on the PGA Tour in strokes gained: off-the-tee, approach the green, tee-to-green and total, but 151st (out of 184 players) in strokes gained: putting.”

5. Zach Johnson on why Bryson never got a call

Dave Shedloski for Golf Digest…”Still, he felt that he, and a few others who play in the LIV Golf League—Dustin Johnson, who went 5-0 in Wisconsin, being the most obvious omission—should have gotten a bit more consideration.”

• “I can answer all of those in a very simple manner,” Zach Johnson said Monday during the first captains’ press conference with European counterpart Luke Donald. “We have a points system within the PGA of America, within the Ryder Cup USA. It’s pretty evident how you garner points and which tournaments can accumulate points. I basically, you know, I kept at one point … my own probably top 30, but when it got down towards the end of the process, it was the top 20, the top 25 guys in that point system that I felt like had the merit and certainly, well, should have my full attention. That’s where I was. I was basically in the top 20, top 25 guys in points when it came down to formulating this Team USA.”

6. Marco Simone observations

Golf Digest’s Joel Beall…”Marco Simone is not short on scenery, the property offering beautiful vistas of the Italian countryside, olive groves, rustic villages and the Roman skyline. But decouple the views from the course and two comparisons come to mind. The front nine at Marco Simone has the shape and styling of Liberty National, a maximalist and artificial design that puts a premium on ball-striking. The green contours are severe, and if the surfaces are not slow and wet they’ll reject any approach less than right. The routing is compact; there’s a sense the club tried to fit nine holes into an area that has room for just seven. The back side, however, is far more expansive in scale. Its topography is dramatic, yet the greens are the less punishing of the two nines. While the back nine still can present its difficulties, it seemed fairly gettable; in that vein, it has an air of Valhalla to it.”

7. Clue to Europe’s pairings?

Bunkered report…”European captain Luke Donald has already sprung a surprise by announcing that the first session at Marco Simone will be foursomes – a format Europe hasn’t opened with since 1993… which also happens to be the last time the US won on the road.

• “But the big question of which players will be entrusted for the opening session won’t be answered until Thursday’s opening ceremony.

• “That being said, we may have already been served a significant clue courtesy of the Tuesday practice pairings.

• “Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka and Tommy Fleetwood are out first for Europe today at approximately 10am.

• “They’ll be followed by Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton and Ludvig Aberg at 10.15am.

• “Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Robert MacIntyre and Nicolai Hojgaard complete the set at 10.30am.

8. FYI: Ryder Cup T.V. schedule (ET)

Friday, Sept. 29: Foursomes and fourball from 1:30 a.m.-noon, USA Network

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

Sunday, Oct. 1: 12 singles matches from 5:30 a.m.-1 p.m., NBC

9. Obligatory Ryder Cup rough preview

For comments: [email protected]

Good Thursday morning, golf fans, as we head towards the Solheim Cup.

1. US Solheim Cup captain Lewis: Ryder, Solheim Cups should stay in same year

BBC report…”United States captain Stacy Lewis says it is “1000% a massive missed opportunity” that the Solheim and Ryder Cups have not been promoted together.”

• “The 18th Solheim Cup between Europe’s women and the US starts on Friday at Finca Cortesin in Andalucia, Spain.”

• “However, there is little connection to the biennial men’s equivalent, which begins a week later in Rome.”

• “I’d like them [to stay] in the same year if we could get some common ground and do them together,” said Lewis.

2. Scottish Solheim Cup rookie unfazed

Brian McLauchlin for BBC Scotland…”Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh says there is no fear factor about her Solheim Cup debut…”

• “She is not fazed by going up against superstars Lilia Vu and Nelly Korda.”

• “Maybe two years ago it would have been a bit more intimidating but not now I have played with and against the girls week to week,” the 30-year-old said.

• “I’m friends with a couple of the American girls, so it is not scary. I know what to expect and I know I am just as good as them, so there is no reason to fret or be scared of anyone.”

3. Captains agree on the favorite

Golf Channel staff report…”On paper, this year’s European Solheim Cup team is one of the best ever. Captain Suzann Pettersen would argue, THE best ever. She’s not shying away from the role of favorite.”

• “I don’t think there’s anything to hide under a chair that if you look on paper, we have the strongest team that I’ve ever been a part of, and that’s based on great performances over the last few years from all the players. So with good results, there’s also expectations, but these girls are so up for it, so we can’t wait,” Pettersen said Wednesday.

• …”U.S. captain Stacy Lewis, however, is comfortable in the underdog role and has no problem putting the pressure on her opponent’s shoulders.”

• “No, I think Europe’s the favorite,” she said Wednesday. “They have won the last two, we’re on their soil, they have a great team that has a ton, a ton of experience in this event. So, you look at history, you know, it doesn’t bode well for us. But I love our chances. I love these rookies. I think they’re going to have a great week and hopefully surprise a lot of people.”

4. Zhang on Solheim spot

Reuters report…”What Zhang wasn’t anticipating was a spot on the United States Solheim Cup team as a rookie. However, that became almost a certainty after Zhang was given a sponsors invite into the Mizuho Americas Open in June and went on to become the first player since 1951 to win in her LPGA debut.”

• “Three months later, Zhang is in Spain for the first time in her life as part of captain Stacy Lewis’ 12-woman team that will take on Team Europe in this week’s Solheim Cup.”

• “A hundred percent not,” Zhang said Wednesday when asked if she thought making this year’s team was possible. “I think when I played Mizuho, it was only with the intentions of starting off my career and playing the best I could, trying to make the cut. Obviously the results turned out differently and I’ve been super grateful for all the experiences that I’ve gained thus far on tour.

5. Kang goes from zero sets of clubs to 2

Adam Woodard for Golfweek…”After two days of practice at Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast, the 30-year-old still didn’t have her golf clubs, but on Tuesday she addressed how her putter made the trip because she packs it separately in a rifle case so that it doesn’t get bent.”

• “On Wednesday morning, U.S. captain Stacy Lewis shared on social media that not one, but two sets of clubs had arrived for Kang, who is set to make her fourth appearance for the Americans this week.”

• “Kang plays Titleist clubs, but the folks at Ping who are on-site put together a set for her on Tuesday so she could play during the morning practice round. Titleist shipped a second set that was scheduled to arrive late Tuesday night.”

6. ICYMI: TW & Timberlake are opening a bar

Jon Hoefling for USA Today…”Tiger Woods’ business venture into golf-themed sports bars continues as he and pop star Justin Timberlake, in partnership with 8AM Golf, are opening a sports bar together.”

• “The bar, aptly named “T-Squared”, is located on East 42nd Street in Manhattan. It is…open…just in time for the Ryder Cup Tournament.”

• “The 22,000 square foot venue covers almost an entire city block. It will feature four Full Swing golf simulators, four bowling lanes, dining areas, and over 35 television screens.”

7. Amy Olson announces arrival of child

Amy Levins for Golf Digest…”The LPGA Tour has another mother amongst its ranks: Amy Olson, along with husband Grant, announced the arrival of their baby girl, Carly Gray, born Sept. 15. Olson becomes the fifth LPGA player to have a child in 2023.”

8. McIlroy to play DP World Tour Championship finale

Reuters report…”Rory McIlroy plans to play in the DP World Tour Championship in November at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.”

• “McIlroy is a two-time DP World Tour Championship winner and ended the 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2022 seasons first in the season standings.”

• “Playing at the DP World Tour Championship is always an amazing experience. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a lot of success in Dubai and at this event in particular,” McIlroy said. “The fans have been great, it’s amazing to have that support out there for us. When you have the top 50 golfers from the DP World Tour, you know it is going to be a fantastic competition. I’ve won here on a couple of occasions and I would love to be right there come Sunday with both trophies to my name.”

• “The tournament is played Nov. 16-19.”

9. Photos from the 2023 Nationwide Children’s Champ

• Check out all of our galleries here.