How does this U.S. Ryder Cup team compare to past ones? Plus odds, captains and qualifiers
After a year off in 2022, the Ryder Cup is back for its 44th iteration in 2023.
The unique, match play golf competition is held every other year and features the top players from the United States facing off against the top European golfers.
This year, the U.S. looks to defend its 2021 title with a 12-man roster.
2023 Ryder Cup: Dates, location and rosters for U.S. vs. Europe
How does the 2023 U.S. roster compare to previous years?
Seven of the 12 players on the 2023 U.S. team are returners from the Americans' victory at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin last year.
Returning golfers:
Patrick Cantlay
Brooks Koepka
Collin Morikawa
Xander Schauffele
Scottie Scheffler
Jordan Spieth
Justin Thomas
U.S. Team newcomers:
Sam Burns
Wyndham Clark
Rickie Fowler
Brian Harman
Max Homa
The five new additions to the U.S. Team in 2023 replace Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau, Harris English and Daniel Berger.
U.S. Ryder Cup team: Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas headline captain's picks
How are players picked for Ryder Cup teams?
According to rydercup.com, "the U.S. Team will be made up from the top six eligible players in the points rankings with six captain's picks.
"The European Team will be made up from the top three eligible players from the European Points List, the top three eligible players from the World Points List and six captain's picks."
Golfers earn points for their performance in other tournaments.
American golfers started earning points toward the rankings in 2022, and rankings were final after the BMW Championship on August 20 of this year.
European golfers could earn points starting with the 2022 BMW Championship and finished Sept. 3 this year, three weeks before the Ryder Cup.
Who are the U.S. Ryder Cup team captains?
Zach Johnson, Iowa City native and 2007 Masters champion, is captain of the U.S. team for the 2023 Ryder Cup.
He is joined by five vice-captains, two of whom were previous U.S. Ryder Cup captains: Steve Stricker (2021 captain), Davis Love III (2012 & 2016), Jim Furyk, Fred Couples and Stewart Cink.
Betting odds, favorites for 2023 Ryder Cup
The latest betting odds according to sportsbookreview.com have the U.S. team as favorites across the board, though only slightly.
Odds for the U.S. team to win range from -125 to -110. Odds for Team Europe to win range from +110 to +130.
There is the possibility of a tie, and sportsbooks have odds for that outcome between +1000 and +1300 as well.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ryder Cup 2023: U.S. team comparisons, golf odds and captains
