The Ryder Cup art

The Ryder Cup art

How To Watch the Ryder Cup, Format, and What To Expect

The Ryder Cup is back! Here's a look at the unique format, a preview, the full schedule, and how to watch live with Sling.

Golf’s most electric and team-focused event is back. The Ryder Cup, between the best players from the United States and Europe, will head over the pond for the 43rd edition of the event. Led by captain Zach Johnson, the US has a strong team, but the Americans have not won a Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993, when a team captained by Tom Watson took down Team Europe 15-to-13 at The Belfry in Warwickshire in England. Top to bottom, the US have a stronger squad, but weird things happen in match play. And the Ryder Cup has always been the most important event in the eyes of European golfers everywhere. Here is everything you need to know ahead of 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, Italy.

The Ryder Cup TV Schedule

All times Eastern

Thursday, September 28th: 10am to 1pm - Opening Ceremonies on Golf Channel

Friday, September 29: 1:30am -12pm on USA

Saturday, September 30: 1:30am - 3am on USA and 3am - 12pm on NBC or Peacock.

Sunday, October 1st: 5:30am - 1pm on NBC, Peacock

NBC is available in select markets: Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Hartford/New Haven, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, Washington, DC

What is the Ryder Cup format and schedule?

https://www.youtube.com/embed/x3y51gRysrc?si=zesr3V9pnpe-fRvg

The three-day competition sees a total of 28 matches played between the USA and Europe. Each match is worth one point, and a tie is .5 points. The Americans need 14 points to win the Ryder Cup as defending champions and the European team needs 14.5 to win.

Day 1 - Friday, September 29, AM session: Foursomes (4 matches)

Day 1 - Friday, September 29, PM session: Four-ball (4 matches)

Day 2 - Saturday, September 30, AM session: Foursomes (4 matches)

Day 2 - Saturday, September 30, PM session: Four-ball (4 matches)

Day 3 - Sunday, October 1: Singles Match Play (12 matches)

What is the Foursomes format in the Ryder Cup?

A two-man team alternates hitting every shot until the hole is completed. The team with the lowest score wins the hole.

What is the Four-ball format in the Ryder Cup?

A two man team where each player plays their own ball. Each team counts the lowest score on the team. The lowest score wins the hole.

How often is the Ryder Cup played and where is it being played?

The Ryder Cup is played every two years. There was a three year wait for the 2021 Ryder Cup due to the Covid pandemic, but it's back on its scheduled rotation. It alternates being played in the United States and Europe. This year it will be played at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy.

Who is on each team at the Ryder Cup?

Team USA has six automatic qualifiers. These players earned the most points from the start of the 2022 season to the end of the 2023 season. The auto-qualifiers are:
Scottie Scheffler
Xander Schauffele
Patrick Cantlay
Max Homa
Wyndham Clark
Brian Harman

Then there are six Captain’s picks. These picks are players that the captain can choose based on who they believe deserves, and want on their team. Those six players are:

Jordan Spieth
Rickie Fowler
Brooks Koepka
Justin Thomas
Sam Burns
Collin Morikawa

Team Europe has six automatic qualifiers. Three players are the top three players from the European Points List and the top three from the World Points. These players earned the most points from the BMW Championship in 2022 to the end of the 2023 season. The auto-qualifiers are:

Rory McIlroy (European Points List)

Jon Rahm (European Points List)

Robert MacIntyre (European Points List)

Viktor Hovland (World Points List)

Tyrrell Hatton (World Points List)

Matt Fitzpatrick (World Points List)

Then there are six Captain’s picks. These picks are players that the captain can choose based on who they believe deserves, and want on their team. Those six players are:

Ludvig Aberg

Tommy Fleetwood

Nicolai Hojgaard

Shane Lowry

Justin Rose

Sepp Straka

To watch the 2023 Ryder Cup on NBC and USA Network with Sling TV, use the link below to subscribe to Sling Blue (in select markets).

https://main--sling--aemsites.aem.page/aemedge/fragments/try-sling-blue