Italy wins 2022 Ryder Cup bid
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The 2022 Ryder Cup will be played at the Marco Simone course in Rome – the first time Italy has staged the bi-annual clash between Europe and the USA.
It will be the 44th Ryder Cup and Italy somewhat surprisingly got the vote ahead of Germany and Spain’s bids while Austria were also in the running though very much the outsiders.
European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: “History has shown time and again that the Ryder Cup is pure theatre with the players the stars, and there is no question that the Eternal City of Rome will provide a wonderful backdrop for one of the great occasions in world golf.
“We have exciting plans for the development of the European Tour and our international schedule for the benefit of all our players, and Italy shares this ambition. Their commitment to the Italian Open will provide an inspiring benchmark.”
The Marco Simone course, about 10 miles from the centre of the Italian capital, will undergo a comprehensive upgrade to make sure it is up to scratch.
Italy’s Molinari brothers, Edoardo and Francesco, starred in Europe’s 2010 triumph in Wales while Costatino Rocca was the first Italian to represent his country in the competition and is Italy’s most celebrated player – he hammered Tiger Woods 4&2 in Europe’s 1997 success at Valderrama, won five European Tour titles and finished runner-up to John Daly in the 1995 Open at St Andrews.
Reigning champions Europe, successful at Gleneagles in 2014, will look to defend their title at Hazeltine in Minnesota next year before France hosts in 2018.
