US golf champion Tiger Woods,
who has just won his first tournament in five years, and
Europe's Francesco Molinari, the Open champion, are both headed
to the greens of Le Golf National in Paris for the upcoming
Ryder Cup, taking place September 28-30.
European team captain Thomas Bjorn is bringing five rookies
(Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Jon Rahm, Alex Noren and
Thorbjorn Olesen) and betting on Piedmont native "Chicco"
Molinari, who has had a golden year and is looking for yet
another win.
Molinari currently leads the European Points List, in his 3rd
appearance, tying the Italian record set by Costantino Rocca.
British golfer and Olympic champion Justin Rose, currently
number two in the official world golf ranking, is also on Team
Europe and is one of the most highly anticipated players at the
Ryder Cup.
Fellow British golfer Ian Poulter, also on Team Europe, is
making his 5th appearance at the Ryder Cup.
Paul Casey rounds out the team's English golfers, alongside
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Spaniards Rahm and Sergio
Garcia.
Team USA and its captain Jim Furyk will meet the European
challenge with golfers Dustin Johnson; Brooks Koepka, winner of
three majors; Masters champion Patrick Reed; Justin Thomas;
multiple majors winner Jordan Spieth; two-time Masters champ
Bubba Watson; Webb Simpson; Tony Finau; Bryson DeChambeau;
Rickie Fowler; and big names Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Woods and Mickelson are scheduled to play a
nine-million-dollar, winner-takes-all exhibition match in Las
Vegas in November.
Woods started 2018 in 656th position and currently stands at
13th in the official world golf ranking.
Team USA hasn't won the Ryder Cup in Europe since 1993, in
England.
Woods on Sunday won the season-ending Tour Championship in
Atlanta by two shots, enough to claim his 80th PGA Tour title
and his first since returning to the game from spinal surgery.
Rose won the Fedex Cup with his high finish.
Francesco 'Chicco' Molinari broke Italy's majors duck by
winning the Open Championship on July 22.
Molinari said his next goals included doing well in the Ryder
Cup and the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
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