With all of the year's majors and the Toyko Olympics completed, the focus of the world of men's golf turns to the year-delayed Ryder Cup. The excitement is building, and we have all the info on when the 2021 Ryder Cup teams are set to be announced.
When is the 2021 Ryder Cup?
The 2021 Ryder Cup will take place from Friday September 24th to Sunday September 26th.
Where is the 2021 Ryder Cup taking place?
The biennial golf tournament between Europe and the United States will take place on the Straits course at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wisconsin.
Who are the 2021 Ryder Cup captains?
Ireland's own Padraig Harrington will take the role of European captain for this year's Ryder Cup. He will not play on the European team, but he certainly knows his way around the tournament, having played on six Ryder Cup teams, winning four times in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2010.
2021 European Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington of Ireland with the Ryder Cup trophy. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Harrington has chosen fellow Irish major-winner Graeme McDowell as one of his vice captains, alongside Robert Karlsson, Luke Donald, and Martin Kaymer.
The American team will be captained by Steve Stricker. Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, and Davis Love III stand alongside Stricker as the US vice captains.
When are the Ryder Cup teams picked?
Both teams will be picked after the final qualification event, the 2021 BMW Championship, which is scheduled to conclude on the 12th of September. Players receive points throughout the golf season depending on their performance in PGA and European Tour events, with greater weight given to majors.
The European team will consist of the top four players on the Ryder Cup European Points List, followed by the top five players on the Ryder Cup World Points List who have not already been selected. The team will then be rounded off with three captain's picks for Harrington.
The US team will consist of the top six players on the US Ryder Cup Points List, followed by six captain's picks for Steve Stricker.
Who's in contention for the two teams?
As things stand, Americans Collin Morikawa and Dustin Johnson are the only golfer guaranteed to be playing in this September's Ryder Cup. He has amassed enough points to be assured of his place on the United States team.
With regards to the European team, several golfers can be almost 100% sure of their place on the team. Jon Rahm tops both the European and World Points List, while Rory McIlroy and Paul Casey are also well placed on both points lists.
If the teams were picked today, this is how they would look, excluding the captain's picks. All six automatic qualifiers for the US team are now confirmed, with just Steve Stricker's captain's picks to follow.
Both of Ireland's golfing Olympians, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, have given themselves a great chance of playing at this year's Ryder Cup. It would be Lowry's first Ryder Cup appearance and, even though he is on the edge of the qualifying spots, if he were to slip out his strong form all season would have him as a strong contender for a captain's pick.
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