Ryder Cup heading for Rome in 2022

It will be the third time golf’s pre-eminent team event has been hosted on the continent, after Valderrama in Spain provided the backdrop for the tournament in 1997 – while Le Golf National in France will stage proceedings in 2018.

The Italian capital faced fierce competition for the right to hold the 44th edition of the Ryder Cup and will follow in the footsteps of Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, which has been selected as the venue for Europe and the USA’s battle in 2020.

The 2022 Ryder Cup is headed to Italy for the first time.

“While we are disappointed Spain has not been awarded The 2022 Match, we remain very proud of the strong and innovative bid we submitted to Ryder Cup Europe, and will continue with our ambitions to grow the game of golf at all levels across Spain”.

The Italian bid was strong in all areas, with a pledge made to undertake a reconstruction of the Marco Simone course to bring it to the standards required to host the Ryder Cup.

Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota will host the 2016 tournament. “Their commitment to the Italian Open will provide an inspiring benchmark”.

Four nations – Italy, Austria, Germany, and Spain – had been in the final running after Denmark, Portugal and Turkey withdrew their interest in the early stages.

“Extraordinary work by all of our team, the Ryder Cup is OURS!”

Italy’s bid hinged on its promise to completely overhaul the course at Marco Simone and guarantee a €7 million ($7.6 million) prize fund for the Italian Open for 11 years, starting in 2017.

The Marco Simone Golf and Country Club has been named as the venue of the tournament.

“It’s great news not only for golf in Italy but for golf in general”.

“I will be 40 in 2022 so I need to stay in good shape”. Golf is returning to the Olympics next year in Rio de Janeiro.

“It would be obviously awesome to be part of it as a player, but otherwise it would be incredible to be part of it in any other capacity”.