Geneva, Switzerland, 21 September 2021 – The world’s finest golfers will gather this week in Wisconsin to compete for the Ryder Cup, one of the sport’s most coveted prizes. Twelve-man teams representing Europe and the United States will do battle from 24–26 September at the Straits course, which boasts a strong big-event pedigree, having hosted the PGA Championship on three occasions.

Rolex has been the Official Timekeeper of this biennial showdown – often referred to as the greatest golfing show on earth – for more than 25 years and expanded its partnership earlier this year to become a Worldwide Partner.

The Ryder Cup was first held in 1927 at the Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts, and in the decades since has continued to grow and flourish – just like the Swiss watchmaker’s commitment to golf at all levels worldwide.

The event exemplifies the beauty of a game where victory is never guaranteed and each player has to channel his own virtuosity for the greater achievement of the ensemble. It stands for tradition, team spirit and sportsmanship, where fierce battles are waged with utmost respect between opponents and intergenerational solidarity and camaraderie are at a premium. It is golf at its very best.

The match-play format, comprising a series of foursomes, four-ball and singles matches contested over three days, has inspired some of the most memorable duels in the sport’s history. As the players strive for perfection, the margin for error is narrow and fortunes can swing quickly when these elite teams pit their combined wits and skill.

EUROPE CAPTAINED BY ROLEX TESTIMONEE PADRAIG HARRINGTON

At the 43rd edition of this much-anticipated event, Padraig Harrington will be hoping to emulate fellow Rolex Testimonees Bernhard Langer (2004), Colin Montgomerie (2010), José María Olazábal (2012), Paul McGinley (2014) and Thomas Bjørn (2018) in captaining Europe to victory. The Europeans will defend the Samuel Ryder Trophy, which they reclaimed with a seven-point win at Le Golf National on the outskirts of Paris three years ago.

In a decorated Ryder Cup career, the three-time Major champion represented Europe on six occasions as a player, helping the team to victory in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010, and has served as a Vice Captain at the past three editions of the transatlantic competition. 

Working alongside Harrington as Vice Captains will be fellow Testimonees Luke Donald and Martin Kaymer, who both have a rich Ryder Cup history. Donald has triumphed on all four appearances and holds an impressive record of 10½ points from 15 matches while Kaymer holed the famous trophy-winning putt on the 18th green at Medinah Country Club in 2012 to spark wild celebrations for Europe. This thrilling victory, commonly known as the Miracle in Medinah, was the last European triumph on US soil.

THE RYDER CUP TEAMS

Leading the United States for the first time as Captain is Steve Stricker, alongside decorated Vice Captains Fred Couples and Phil Mickelson, who between them featured in 20 Ryder Cup competitions. Looking to win the trophy for the first time since 2016 are a host of Major winners including Rolex Testimonees Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, all of whom competed in 2018 and are currently in the top 15 of the Official World Golf Ranking. Joining them and making his debut is 28-year-old Daniel Berger, who has recorded eight top-10 finishes on this season’s PGA Tour.

Testimonees returning from the victorious 2018 Europe line-up include veteran Paul Casey from England, whose experience will be invaluable at a fourth Ryder Cup appearance, and World No.1 and Major winner Jon Rahm from Spain. Another Rolex Testimonee joining the Europeans is Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick, who made his Ryder Cup debut in 2016 as the youngest member of the team, aged 21.