The 44th Ryder Cup has arrived.
Although the biennial match between the U.S.A. and Europe begins officially on Friday, the action has already begun on the course. Golfers arrived in Rome on Monday and began playing at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. Practice rounds begin officially on Tuesday.
In 1927, a team of Americans took on a Great Britain group in the first ever staging of this event. In 1973, the team expanded to include Irish golfers. In 1979 it was expanded to include golfers from all over Europe.
Since 1979, Europe has a 11-9 advantage over the Americans in terms of all-time rankings.
Whistling Straights was the site of the U.S.’s last Ryder Cup victory, which they won 19-9. The last time the U.S. won away from home, it was 1993.