The 2023 Ryder Cup is fast-approaching and the battle to make the teams is well and truly on.
The beautiful Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome will host the 44th edition of the famous tournament which gets underway on Friday, September 29.
Team captain Luke Donald is busy preparing his plans for the week as Europe strive to reclaim the trophy having been thrashed by the USA at Whistling Straits in 2021.
Donald’s men will be up against Zach Johnson and co with the 2007 Masters champion spearheading the American’s charge this year.
The Ryder Cup has never been held in Italy and fans are set for a thrilling week of action.
But before the first tee shot can be hit, the two captains must first pick their teams…
How the 2023 Ryder Cup teams are shaping up
Team Europe
Donald replaced Henrik Stenson as the European team captain following the Swede’s decision to join LIV Golf.
Donald has named Thomas Bjorn, Edoardo Molinari and Nicolas Colsaerts as his vice captains.
Team Europe will made up from three qualifiers from each of the European and World points lists plus six captain’s picks.
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Big guns Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy will lead the team and are currently being joined by qualifiers Yannick Paul, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick.
A host of other players are in contention to make it outright.
Adrian Meronk, Rasmus Hojgaard, Victor Perez, Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka and Shane Lowry are all doing well on the points lists.
Other players who will be looking to catch Donald’s eye include AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am champion Justin Rose, who has played at five Ryder Cups, and Robert MacIntyre, who won the Italian Open at Marco Simone last year.
Team Europe have decided they will not pick any LIV Golf players meaning there will be no place for Ryder Cup legends Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.
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Team USA
Johnson will be joined by vice-captains Steve Stricker, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk and Fred Couples.
Like Europe, Team USA will include six qualifiers and six captain’s picks and will be littered with top talent.
Their points list is currently topped by World No1 Scottie Scheffler with US Open champion Wyndham Clark and PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka not far behind.
In contrast to their rivals, Team USA are set to include LIV Golf stars such as Koepka.
Also making it on merit at the moment are Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay and Max Homa.
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Such is the quality in the American game, Johnson will have a tough task picking just six players.
From the PGA Tour, the USA have the likes of Keegan Bradley, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Cameron Young, Justin Thomas, Tony Finau, Sam Burns and the resurgent Rickie Fowler.
From LIV, Johnson has even more options including previous Ryder Cup stars Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson.
talkSPORT’s picks for 2023 Ryder Cup teams
Team Europe
Qualifiers: Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Yannick Paul, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick
Captain’s Picks: Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Robert MacIntyre, Adrian Meronk, Seamus Power
Team USA
Qualifiers: Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa
Captain’s Picks: Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau
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