Team Europe Stars Share Images Showing Much-Loved Ryder Cup Tradition Continues

The European team notably do not have their representative number on their bags this year, but could they be seen somewhere else?

Team Europe Stars Share Images Showing Much-Loved Ryder Cup Tradition Continues
(Image credit: Shane Lowry/Tyrrell Hatton Instagram)

With the opening shots at Marco Simone tantalisingly close now, both captains will be seeking out any slight edge over their rivals.

Looking at the golf bags of the European Ryder Cup team this week, it seemed as though the idea of displaying numbers signifying their position in the Ryder Cup history roll call had been abandoned.

2021 European captain Padraig Harrington took inspiration from other sporting teams such as Rugby's British and Irish Lions, as well as the England cricket team and had the team bags embroidered with their individual numbers. For example, Shane Lowry had the number 163 on his bag denoting he was the 163rd player to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup.

The European Solheim Cup team had their individual representative numbers subtly tucked inside their yardage books in 2021 and most likely placed them discreetly once again last week in Spain.

Looking at some of the European team Instagram accounts, it seems that Captain Luke Donald may have chosen to continue the idea after all. 

Photo of Shane Lowry Ryder cup polo

(Image credit: Shane Lowry Instagram)

Both Tyrrell Hatton and Shane Lowry shared dramatic backlit images of team polo shirts, displaying not only their Ryder Cup numbers, but also their home nations flags. 

European captain Donald has ensured his team are going to look fantastic on the fairways at Marco Simone this week, wearing as they are luxury Italian apparel from Loro Piana.

Close up photo of Tyrell Hatton Ryder Cup Polo

(Image credit: Tyrell Hatton Instagram)

It remains to be seen if these numbered shirts will be on display on Friday morning in the opening foursomes or if they are just a concept. But we have to say we love them! 

Joe Ferguson
Staff Writer

 Joe has worked in the golf industry for nearly 20 years in a variety of roles. After a successful amateur career being involved in England squads at every age group, Joe completed his PGA degree qualification in 2014 as one of the top ten graduates in his training year and subsequently went on to become Head PGA Professional at Ryder Cup venue The Celtic Manor Resort. Equipment has always been a huge passion of Joe’s, and during his time at Celtic Manor, he headed up the National Fitting Centres for both Titleist and Taylormade.  He’s excited to bring his knowledge of hardware to Golf Monthly in the form of equipment reviews and buying advice. 

Joe lives in North Devon and still plays sporadically on the PGA West region circuit. His best round in recent years came earlier in 2023 where he managed a 9 under par 63 at Trevose GC in a Devon & Cornwall PGA Tournament.

Joe's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: Switch between Ping G430 Max 10K & TaylorMade Qi10 - both with Fujikura Ventus Black 6-X

Fairway wood 1: TaylorMade BRNR Copper Mini Driver - Fujikura Ventus Black 7-X

Fairway wood 2: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke TD 5 Wood - Fujikura Ventus Black 8-X

Irons: TaylorMade P7CB 3-PW with Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts

Wedges: Callaway Opus 50, 54, and 60 degrees - Project X LS 6.0 shafts

Putter: Odyssey Toe Up #9

Ball: TaylorMade 2024 TP5x 

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R

Bag: Vessel Player IV Pro DXR Stand