The 2023 Ryder Cup features some of the biggest names from either side of the Atlantic, Including four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy, Masters champion Jon Rahm and World No.4 Viktor Hovland from Europe going up against the likes of World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, three-time Major winner Jordan Spieth and PGA Champion Brooks Koepka of the US.
However, there are still some big names who won’t be appearing at Marco Simone. Here are 10 of the highest profile names absent from the biennial match in Italy.
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods has made eight Ryder Cup appearances
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The 15-time Major winner has been reduced to sporadic playing appearances of late as he continues to feel the effects of an injury sustained in a car accident in 2021, but his presence still looms large over the elite game, including the Ryder Cup.
Even though the 47-year-old has made eight playing appearances for Team USA, if anything, he has a slightly underwhelming overall record of 13-21-3, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t have had a huge influence on the US team.
Captain Zach Johnson even acknowledged as much in October 2022, when he said he would be part of the Ryder Cup Team USA set up “in some capacity”. In the event, Woods will not be in Italy for the match, but Johnson has revealed he and his team have been in contact with him during preparations for the defence of their title.
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia halved an epic singles match in 2016
(Image credit: Getty Images)
If any name has been synonymous with the US Ryder Cup team over almost three decades, it is the six-time Major winner, who has been involved in every Ryder Cup since 1995, until now.
The 53-year-old played in 12 successive matches between his maiden appearance and 2018, and even though he was only on the winning side three times, he amassed an overall record of 18-22-7.
While he didn’t play at Whistling Straits two years ago, Mickelson was one of Steve Stricker’s vice captains, as he helped mastermind a record 19-9 win for the US.
Mickelson’s move to LIV Golf in 2022 left his chances of continuing his run looking slim, and so it proved, with no place for him in…
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