Team Europe’s Tommy Fleetwood recognizes the infusion of youth on the 2023 Ryder Cup team, without the likes of veteran Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson.

He’s also confident as his side takes on the United States this week at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club outside of Rome.

“You sort of walk into what has been a legacy of — definitely my Ryder Cup, my generation of Ryder Cups has been those guys that were such huge presence on the course and off the course.

“It was honestly the most amazing experience, seeing those guys in that team atmosphere and that team environment.”

The 32-year-old native of Southport, England, is winless on the PGA Tour but finished sixth in FedEx Cup points this season. He made his first tour appearance in 2014 and has seven international victories.

Fleetwood was part of the 2018 European Ryder Cup team that made a big splash with a victory in France. He was 4-1-1 in Paris that year and 4-2-2 overall in two Cup appearances.

“Paris owns a special place in a lot of our hearts and it’s the last Ryder Cup that we won,” Fleetwood said, finding motivation. “And it’s been five years, so it’s actually been quite a long time.”

Fleetwood said Europe has an opportunity to build on the current foundation.

“I think there’s been a natural progression for a few of the guys,” he said. “… There’s a core group of us that have played two or three Ryder Cups now, and that’s not the experience of what those guys had in terms of numbers.

“But I think we’ve all grown as Ryder Cup players together, and I think that is something that’s really cool and we are all comfortable in the roles.”

Despite missing the old guard, Fleetwood cites the talent and experience on both sides.

“We still have a couple of current legends in the Ryder Cup in Justin [Rose] and Rory [McIlroy],” he said, “and a few of us that are hoping to follow in their footsteps and make our own legacy over the next era of Ryder Cups.”

The leadership of European captain Luke Donald is a positive, Fleetwood said.

“I think everybody just has loved his captaincy, the way he’s gone about things. I think we are all looking forward to playing for him.”

And Donald spoke highly of Fleetwood’s confidence and attitude, saying he “could absolutely be a future captain.”

It all starts this week in Italy on a challenging golf course with dangerous rough that could play favorably for the Europeans.

“It’s thick for sure,” Fleetwood said. “I always find it difficult to say courses have a certain advantage.”

“But of course, the home side will always look for those things in particular that will help them. The rough’s thick,” he added.

– Field Level Media

Jon Rahm is not one to be overwhelmed by the moment, but he’s clearly soaking in the atmosphere ahead of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club near Rome.

“It’s incredible,” Rahm said Tuesday. “When you’ve done it a couple times, you almost know what to expect, and in a way, the sense of anticipation for the Ryder Cup, it’s emphasized a little bit more just because I know and we do know what’s to come this week and how much fun it’s going to be.

“It’s been definitely special the last few weeks being at home and letting yourself think about it a little bit.”

Rahm, a Spaniard who played collegiately at Arizona State, defeated Tiger Woods 2 & 1 in the 2018 Ryder Cup. He is one of only two players to defeat Woods in Ryder Cup singles (Constantino Rocca, 4 & 2, in 1997).

Despite being among the elite players in the game, Rahm claims to feel no added pressure to be Europe’s team leader.

“No, I was World No. 1 going into the last Ryder Cup, and it really didn’t mean anything,” said Rahm, whose victory at the Masters Tournament this year gave him a second major title (2021 U.S. Open). “I’d like to think that whatever we have done before this week and whatever we may do after this week doesn’t really matter.”

One aspect that certainly matters to the Americans is trying to win the Ryder Cup outside of the U.S., something they have not done since 1993.

Rahm is well aware as Europe seeks a seventh consecutive “home” victory.

“It’s a big deal,” he said. “You want to stretch the streak as much as possible. Hopefully we can get into the 30s of years of Europe being undefeated here at home.”

The 28-year-old Rahm is making his third appearance at the Ryder Cup, having produced a 4-3-1 record.

For a man who has accomplished so much in his professional life, Rahm holds a special place for the competition and camaraderie the Ryder Cup brings.

“The greatest thing of the Ryder Cup, apart from winning, obviously, is going in that team room and seeing all these great golfers come together and really be a team and be friends and have a really special, unique bond throughout the week,” he said. “… Those memories you create are going to last a lifetime, and friendships and the bonds get even stronger.

“It’s a lot of fun to be a part of it.”

–Field Level Media