Golf

Will LIV golfers compete at 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy?

September 25, 2023 11:17 am
Will LIV golfers compete at 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy?
Brooks Koepka of the US hits his tee shot on the eighteenth hole during the first round of the 2023 LIV Golf League tournament at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois, on Friday September 22, 2023. Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI/ABACAPRESS.COM - Photo by Icon Sport

The 2023 Ryder Cup begins on Friday, Sept. 29, with team USA taking on Europe. The 44th edition is being held in Italy at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio, northeast of Rome.

The United States squad holds the title after winning 19-9 in 2021 at Whistling Straits (Haven, Wisconsin).

In this article, we’ll explain how LIV Golfers are eligible to play and if any will participate.

Are LIV Golfers allowed to play in the Ryder Cup?

American LIV players are eligible to compete in the Ryder Cup since they hold PGA of America membership through 2024, which is required to be on the United States roster.

Four European players who participated in 2021, including Sergio Garcia (Spanish), Ian Poulter (English), Lee Westwood (English) and Henrik Stenson, are not eligible because they resigned from the DP World Tour.

Team USA’s Brooks Koepka is the sole LIV golfer participating.

Brooks Koepka’s season recap and Ryder Cup history

Koepka will be playing in his fourth Ryder Cup in a row. The 33-year-old has a 6-5-1 career record and is undefeated in Ryder Cup singles matches (2-0-1).

The West Palm Beach, Florida native claimed his third PGA Championship win (fifth major victory) at Oak Hill Country Club in May. He is only the third player to win three or more PGA Championships since the event changed to stroke play in 1958.

Since joining LIV in 2022, the Florida State product has won two titles at the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah (October 2022) and the LIV Golf Invitational Orlando (April 2023).

He’s also finished second or better in nine of his last 24 majors, including his win at the PGA and a tie for second at the 2023 Masters.

Koepka ended up 29 points behind Xander Schauffele in Ryder Cup qualifying, so he earned the last automatic roster spot.

RYDER CUP RECORD

  • Appearances: 2016, 2018, 2021
  • Overall record: 6-5-1
  • Singles: 2-0-1
  • Four-ball: 2-3-0
  • Foursomes: 2-2-0

Top LIV golfers not selected for the Ryder Cup

  • Bryson DeChambeau: U.S. Open champion (2020) with two wins in his last three starts on LIV. Previously on two Ryder Cup teams.
  • Dustin Johnson: Two-time major winner with two LIV victories. He’s won three Ryder Cups (five appearances).
  • Talor Gooch: First player to win three tournaments on the LIV Tour. It isn’t a surprise he wasn’t selected since he’s never played in a Ryder Cup.
  • Patrick Reed: 2018 Masters champion with a 7-3-2 Ryder Cup record. The Texan has three Ryder Cup appearances.

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