The 2023 Ryder Cup

Bring on the Roman Gladiators... the players who will step into the arena at the brand new golf amphitheater for the next Ryder Cup in 2023. The refurbished Marco Simone Golf and Country on the outskirts of Rome is the scene of the latest competition between Europe and the United States of America.

The venue could not have a more spectacular backdrop, with spectators enjoying views in the distance of the famous Eternal City, including the sight of St Peter's Basilica.

More importantly, the rolling countryside 10 miles outside the heart of the Italian capital gives fans wonderful natural vantage points to watch the on-course action.

The Marco Simone course has been transformed to capture the drama of match play, with eco-sustainability in mind. Work began in 2018 and was completed in the spring of 2021.

The extensive redesign was carried out by European Golf Design, performed in cooperation with course architect Tom Fazio II, whose father, Jim Fazio, was the course's original designer.

The exciting layout was unveiled at the DS Automobiles Italian Open in September 2021 when a piece of golfing history was created.

Nicolai Hojgaard, from Denmark, claimed his maiden European Tour title, just a week after twin brother Rasmus had won the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

The 20-year-olds became the first brothers to win back-to-back events on the European Tour and it would be no surprise to see both of these talented youngsters make their Ryder Cup debuts in Rome.

The tournament - from September 29 to October 1 - will be the third time the Ryder Cup has been held in continental Europe, following Valderrama in Spain, in 1997, and Le Golf National in France, in 2018.

Now Italy deservedly makes its debut on the roster of Ryder Cup venues after leaving an indelible mark on the tournament through the years.

Costantino Rocca claimed the scalp of Tiger Woods in the singles in 1997, and the country never had a prouder moment in the event than in 2018, when Francesco Molinari became the first player from Europe to post a perfect 5-0 record in a stirring victory in Paris.

The Marco Simone features some exciting risk and reward decisions for players in a match-play setting and has a finish tailor-made for matches that go the distance.

The 16th hole can be set up as a drivable par 4, shielded by water on the right and a creek that runs across the front of the green. The 17th is a mid-length par-3 hole of about 180 yards that will yield birdies to great tee shots.

The finishing hole is a long par 5 with water down the left side next to the putting surface and a sloping green complex.

The Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris attracted a record crowd of more than 270,000 for a Ryder Cup in Europe. The event swelled the French economy by an estimated 235 million Euros.

Expect a similar boost in Italy where the Ryder Cup will leave a lasting legacy financially and in terms of inspiring a new generation of golfers.

The Marco Simone course is owned by the Biagiotti family who run global businesses in fashion and fragrance.

It's almost impossible to believe but the USA hasn't won a Ryder Cup on foreign soil for 30 years since Tom Watson was their captain at the Belfry.

Confidence in their camp is bound to be high after such an emphatic win at Whistling Straits in 2021, but a new-look and energised Europe will aim to bounce back.

Especially with the European fans back in big numbers to pack the galleries and roar their team on.