The players with the best form in the Ryder Cup

Tension is starting to build ahead of the 2023 renewal of the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome. The United States haven’t won the gold chalice in Europe since 1993, but Zach Johnson’s men are the favourites in the Ryder Cup odds and are tipped to wipe the floor with the hosts.

Anything can happen in the Ryder Cup, however, both sides lack a bit of experience with four debutants each and several others making their maiden appearances on European soil. Therefore, the seasoned professionals will be key, so let’s take a look at the players with some good form.

Rory McIlroy – 12-12-4

Rory McIlroy will be the most experienced player at this year’s Ryder Cup, as the Northern Irishman is due to make his seventh appearance for Team Europe in Italy, and his record isn’t half bad. The World No.2 has won the gold chalice four times in his previous six attempts and has an overall record of 12-12-4. He’s 5-5-1 in foursomes, 4-5-2 in four-ball and 3-2-1 in singles.

Justin Rose – 13-8-2

Justin Rose returns to Team Europe after being left out by captain Padraig Harrington for the trip to Whistling Straits. The 43-year-old adds some much-needed experience to Donald’s side, and his record in this tournament is not to be sniffed at. Rose has an overall tally of 13-8-2 from his previous five appearances, which is broken down into 7-2-1 in foursomes, 4-4 in four-ball and 2-2-1 in singles.

Jordan Spieth – 8-7-3

Jordan Spieth is the joint-most experienced player on Johnson’s side, as he and Rickie Fowler are both making their fifth appearances for the United States. However, the three-time major winner boasts a far superior record to Fowler (3-7-5). Spieth’s tally in the tournament is 8-7-3 and his best record is in four-ball, where he’s 5-2. He’s 3-2-2 in foursomes and disappointingly 0-3-1 in singles.

Brooks Koepka – 6-5-1

The only LIV Golf professional partaking in this year’s Ryder Cup, Brooks Koepka had a memorable 2023 and he will be hoping to round it off with a win in Rome. This will be the 33-year-old’s fourth appearance at the Ryder Cup and he has a record of 6-5-1. The three-time PGA Championship winner has never lost a singles match (2-0-1), while he’s 2-2 in foursomes and 2-3 in four-ball.

Justin Thomas – 6-2-1

Justin Thomas has only made two previous Ryder Cup appearances, but his record in the tournament is admirable. Some might have questioned Johnson’s decision to select the two-time major winner as a captain’s pick due to his recent form, but it’s hard to overlook someone who is 6-2-1. Thomas has never lost a four-ball (2-0-1) or a singles match (2-0-0), while he’s 2-2 in foursomes.

Tommy Fleetwood – 4-2-2

Another player set to make his third Ryder Cup appearance, Tommy Fleetwood had a memorable tournament at Le Golf National in Paris in 2018 — as he and his partner became the first duo to win all four of their matches. Fleetwood boasts an overall record of 4-2-2, going 2-0 in foursomes, 2-1-1 in four-balls and 0-1-1 in singles.

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Collin Morikawa is worth an honourary mention. The Las Vegas native made his debut in 2021 and didn’t lose a single game, scoring 3-0-1 (2-0 in foursomes, 1-0 in four-ball and 0-0-1 in singles).