The Ryder Cup begins on Friday and golf fans across the globe are undoubtedly thrilled to see the tournament return following last year’s postponement.
Haven, Wisconsin is the tournament’s location as 12 American and 12 European golfers get set to battle it out for a title which was last won by Team Europe in 2018.
Ahead of Ryder Cup weekend, Golf Digest has gone ahead and put together their own ranking of the 24 participating golfers who will be gunning for glory at Whistling Straits.
So, let’s take a look at how the esteemed magazine ranked each of the 24 Ryder Cup golfers.
24. Bernd Wiesberger - Team Europe
Since July 2019, Wiesberger only has four wins on the European tour. The Austrian is the first of his country to play in the Ryder, so he’ll be looking to impress despite having missed both the PGA Championship and US Open this year.
23. Tyrrell Hatton - Team Europe
He peaked this year in Abu Dhabi, but it’s been downhill since for Hatton. Having missed four of his last six, the Englishman is not coming into this weekend in ideal form.
22. Harris English - Team USA
The second oldest player on Team USA is making his first Ryder Cup appearance, but given his lack of experience on the biggest stages, nerves could get the better of the American this weekend.
21. Matt Fitzpatrick - Team Europe
Despite a strong start this season, Fitzpatrick has struggled with his irons for most of the summer. His debut Ryder Cup five years ago ended in disaster, so he has not got the highest expectations ahead of this one.
20. Daniel Berger - Team USA
The Ryder Cup rookie, who was a part of the Jupiter crew alongside Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay, will look to come out of his shell and impress on one of the biggest stages he’s ever played on.
19. Shane Lowry - Team Europe
A close friend of Rory Mcllroy, Lowry has had a consistent year so far, boasting an impressive T-26 or higher in his last seven. He’s got one of the best short games in golf right now and could be one to watch this weekend.
18. Bryson DeChambeau - Team USA
The world No. 7 will be somewhat in the spotlight, mainly due the tension he has with teammate Brooks Koepka. After going 0-3 at the 2018 Ryder Cup, DeChambeau has a point to prove in the coming days
17. Lee Westwood - Team Europe
A true veteran, Westwood is playing in his 11th Ryder Cup. With a 17-11-6 in team matches, the Englishman has his sights set on bettering that record in Wisconsin.
16. Brooks Koepka - Team USA
Koepka has finished T-7 or better in 12 of his last 16 Major championship appearances. He’s not got the greatest attitude, but the 31-year-old will be looking to make amends for his controversial showing in 2018.
15. Collin Morikawa - Team USA
Following a second Major championship triumph two months ago, Morikawa has been plagued with injury and is not looking too hot ahead of his Ryder Cup debut. The world No. 3 has gotten some rest, but will he be able to get over his recent poor form?
14. Tommy Fleetwood - Team Europe
With just two top-10s in 18 starts on the PGA Tour, Fleetwood is not coming into this weekend in the best of form. In spite of his struggles in 2021, the Englishman will look to build on his impressive 4-1 Ryder Cup record from his debut in 2018.
13. Scottie Scheffler - Team USA
There’s no denying that Scheffler was the 12th man picked on Team USA’s roster. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old will be looking to make the most of his opportunity to shine on a stage of such magnitude.
12. Tony Finau - Team USA
An uninspiring summer has produced some doubters in him, but going 2-1 in Paris, Finau will now look to improve on his putting ahead of a massive weekend for the world No. 9.
11. Paul Casey - Team Europe
In what looks like his final Ryder Cup appearance, Casey only has eyes on a strong finish, as well as a first Major championship victory.
10. Jordan Spieth - Team USA
After a poor 2020, Spieth rediscovered his form and worked his way back into the eyes of Team USA. He looked set to miss out on a roster spot if the pandemic never happened, but now, he’s more motivated than ever to go for glory alongside his compatriots.
9. Ian Poulter - Team Europe
Still unbeaten in singles, Poulter is arguably Mr. Ryder Cup. As someone who feeds off of the crowd’s energy, Poulter will surely channel that energy while in search of his first tournament win since 2018.
8. Sergio Garcia - Team Europe
The Ryder Cup’s all-time points leader got a captain’s pick for what’s set to be his 10th tournament appearance. After an impressive performance at Caves Valley, there’s no denying Garcia will look to carry that momentum into the tournament he holds dear to his heart.
7. Dustin Johnson - Team USA
The oldest on Team USA will surely serve as their Mr. Reliable. Despite a year full of struggles, Johnson’s experience is quite the asset for his side as they look to deny Team Europe a second straight victory.
6. Viktor Hovland - Team Europe
He’s one of three rookies on Team Europe, but Hovland is now closing in on the world top 10, and what better tournament to further stake his claim in.
5. Xander Schauffele - Team USA
It feels weird that Schauffele is a Ryder Cup rookie following all his success over the last few years, which was capped off with an Olympic gold over the summer. As one of the most well-rounded players on USA’s roster, there’s no doubt that Schauffele is being tipped for Ryder Cup success this weekend.
4. Patrick Gantlay - Team USA
Like Schauffele, Gantlay doesn’t feel like a rookie after winning the FedEx Cup and the PGA Player of the Year. Following his recent success, all eyes will be on the American to deliver in his debut Ryder Cup.
3. Justin Thomas - Team USA
Likely to be starter in Friday’s first session, Thomas is one of the most consistent individuals on this list. His leadership qualities will prove key for the USA as he looks to build off of his impressive 2018 Ryder Cup performance.
2. Rory Mcllroy - Team Europe
Two weeks off will have fired up Mcllroy ahead of his sixth consecutive Ryder Cup. A household name in golf and a lover of the biggest stages in golf, the Northern Irishman still has a point to prove at the Ryder Cup despite having been a part of four winning teams.
1. Jon Rahm - Team Europe
Rahm is the best golfer in the world right now and there’s no denying that he’ll go all five sessions and look to top his emotional singles victory over Tiger Woods in 2018. After missing out on the PGA Player of the year Award, Rahm’s got fire in his belly coming into his second Ryder Cup.