Ryder Cup 2023: Concerns raised for caddies at Marco Simone

Caddies at this week’s Ryder Cup may be forced to use stand bags to combat the blistering heat forecast for Rome.

Temperatures are expected to push north of 30C in the Italian capital this week and, with little wind for respite and a hilly course to negotiate, it has been suggested that lighter bags may be required to get through one of the hottest editions of the match in recent memory.

The Daily Mail is reporting that two European caddies – Mick Donaghy, who loops for Tyrrell Hatton, and Sepp Straka’s right-hand man Duane Bock – were seen ‘visibly struggling’ during Tuesday’s practice round.

• A Ryder Cup in Saudi Arabia? Don’t rule it out…

• Rich Beem weighs in on LIV golfers playing in Ryder Cup

With the distinct possibility of some players being required to do up to 36 holes per day on Friday and Saturday, contingencies are being drawn up in the event of heat becoming too much of a factor.

“We have enough people there to fill in if someone can’t do 36 holes, that has all been thought about,” said European captain Luke Donald.

“The players have the option to do carry bags if they want, that was an option two years ago.

“A lot of the caddies don’t like to, they think it carries a bit strange and it’s something they’re not used to.

“We’ll have a lot of buggies with space to store all their stuff to try and lighten the bags as much as possible.”

• Team Europe’ Ryder Cup pairings hint

• DeChambeau fires dig at US skipper Johnson

Both teams will play only nine holes on Wednesday.

Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka and Jon Rahm will be first off the tenth tee for Europe around 10am Italian time.

Ludvig Aberg, Shane Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton and Robert MacIntyre will follow at 10.15am, with Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Nicolai Hojgaard and Justin Rose completing the set at 10.30am.

For the USA, Max Homa, Wyndham Clark, Rickie Fowler and Brian Harman lead the way off the first at 9.45am.

Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth and Sam Burns will be next off at 10am, followed by Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Cantlay at 10.15am.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor