The greatest show in golf is upon us.
There can be no doubt that individual honours is what separates the greats. The majors are where it is at.
The idea of winning the sport's grand slam, a feat that Rory McIlroy can complete at the Masters and Jordan Spieth can do likewise at the US PGA next year, captures the imagination - that notion of leaving a legacy like no other.
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One time major winners etch their names forever in history, and rightly so. The older you get the more you look back on your career and put more significance on victories achieved.
But the Ryder Cup is that special sidebar for all players. It's that special week that is so different to all the individual performances and results produced over the course of a career.
And the 24 players competing in Rome are embarking on what will be an emotional rollercoaster of a week.
They spend all their careers as individuals and only once every two years they get to play team golf. They all grew up representing their clubs, province, college, nation. Those are the times where they really get a sense of team from the sport.
Playing golf in a team environment generates even greater pressure - but the sense of team can be an even greater force that works in your favour.
It's the fear factor of letting your team-mates down versus the euphoria of winning for them.
The pain of defeat is fresh for the Europeans. That 19-9 defeat in Whistling Straits last time ensured American dominance not seen since the Europeans joined the ranks in 1979.
The next glass ceiling from an American viewpoint is winning in Europe for the first time since 1993, and Zach Johnson as captain will be trying to recharge the US team.
His job is to find the right chemistry. His selection of Colin Morikawa and Justin Thomas brings a Whistling Straits vibe. Dustin Johnson is the big miss from that team.
But Brooks Koepka is also a pick and a phenomenal player that brings American arrogance with game to back it up.
Europe have dined out previously on team energy. Padraig Harrington got it wrong statistically in 2021 by going strictly on pairings that matched on paper - Shane Lowry was under-used and this edition will be one where he hopes to shine.
He will feel like he has a point to prove and that, if channelled right, can be a powerful mix.
Both Rory and Shane got to witness the Ireland rugby team's victory in Paris on Saturday night. This is their chance to be a part of their own team this week and it should provide them with the solidarity to thrive.
Rory showed an abundance of emotion at Whistling Straits. His game is in a totally different space coming into this week. Europe will need him to be at his best.
Jon Rahm was the only player to shine last time around. His form and energy will be priceless for Luke Donald's team as they look to turn the tables.
But I also think that the rookies this year will play a huge part in the outcome of the Samuel Ryder Trophy.
Special mention must go to Ludvig Aberg, who is talked about as a generational player.
His stage this week is perhaps before anyone could have imagined. Will he be thrown in at the deep end on Friday?
And how much faith will Luke Donald show in the tail of his team? Robert MacIntyre and Nicolai Hojgaard will hope to get a game on Friday.
The European team is loaded up front - but how Donald sees his vision of team is fascinating. I think he will go heavy on his alphas and try to build a lead.
Most of the Americans have not played since the FedEx and will be under-cooked.
Day one is going to be huge for Europe to gain momentum.
Remember, because of Covid there were no European fans in Whistling Straits and that had a profound effect on Team Europe.
They will try to use their crowd this week to create that 13th man. This is, maybe, a slightly rusty American team - and home advantage might be the difference.
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The Solheim Cup was played last week and it showed the energy and excitement that the team format creates.
Team Europe overcame a four-nil whitewash on the first morning to rally to a tie and retain the trophy.
And Leona Maguire was again the star of the show.
Rose Zhang is a Hall of Fame player in the making but she was dismantled in the singles by the Cavan women
Leona is just fantastic. Her golf and desire to win is something to behold.
I have been fortunate to spend time with her at the K Club in her role as touring professional and it's easy to see why she is such a high achieving young woman.
Her attention to her craft and desire to get the most from herself is just like Padraig Harrington. They are cut from the same cloth.
The showcase for the women's game was fitting - it was high-end quality and played in a great spirit.
I agree with the American captain Stacey Lewis that the date should stay prior to the Ryder Cup. They can both feed from one another.
Next year will see them go at it again with the same captains. Suzann Petterson will have enjoyed her role and can look forward to getting across the Atlantic for the next installment.
It is wonderful to see her giving back whilst retaining an involvement in the game.
The line-ups might change next year but it is another shot in the arm for women's golf in Europe.
Hopefully it might translate to the LET Tour because that is the life blood for European talent.
The women get to unwind this week and let the men at it. Rome wasn't built in a day. This weekend will cement the legacy of what is a brilliant format to showcase the beauty of team golf.
