A fun competition between USA and European golfers as we examine the watches of Ryder Cup players.
The Ryder Cup is one of the most watched sporting events in the World and it’s just around the corner. Later this month the best golfers from Europe will head to Bethpage Black in New York to take on the best the USA has to offer. The Ryder Cup will be settled over three days of fist pumps, high fives and epic golf shots. However, what we want to know is by looking at the watches of Ryder Cup players, which team has the better wrist game?
To settle this incredibly important question we’ve pulled together our own matchplay-style competition. We’ve paired one player from each team against each other in five head-to-head horological matches to see who’s watch game comes out on top. May the best watch win.
Match 1: Rory McIlroy v J. J. Spaun
First on the tee representing Team Europe is…Rory McIlroy! Rory is a veteran of the Ryder Cup and arguably Europe’s most important player. He’s the current world number two and 2025 will go down as one of the best seasons of his career after he completed the career Grand Slam by winning The Masters.
His opponent, J. J. Spaun is a Ryder Cup rookie however don’t count him out. 2025 has been his breakthrough year winning one of golf’s majors at the US Open in June. Spaun now sits inside the top ten in the world.
The watches they’ve each pulled from the bag couldn’t be more different. Rory’s Omega De Ville Tourbillon Numbered Edition is a high horology masterpiece. The case is made from Sedna gold (rose gold to everyone outside of Omega) and complete with a black leather strap. The tourbillon is also centre mounted on the dial.
J. J. has been seen sporting his Rolex GMT Master II BLNR or ‘Batman’ as it’s more commonly known. The GMT is one of most recognisable and sought after from the Rolex catalogue. Its bi-coloured bezel is a signature of the GMT with the black and blue a favourite of watch fans alongside its sibling the ‘Pepsi’.
Whilst the GMT ‘Batman’ is an epic watch and endgame piece for many collectors it just can’t withstand the horological power from Rory McIlroy. The DeVille tourbillon is one of the greatest watches Omega produces and you’ll likely never get to see one in the wild. In the end Rory runs out a steady 3 and 2 winner (3 ahead with 2 holes to play)
Running score: Europe 1 – 0 USA
Match 2: Justin Rose v Bryson DeChambeau
In Match 2 Europe’s oldest team member, Justin Rose (45), is matched against 31-year old Bryson DeChambeau. Justin will be playing in his 7th Ryder Cup and he has a strong record of 14 wins, 6 losses and 5 halves in Ryder Cup matches. It’s a record that puts him 11th on the all-time points scoring list.
Bryson has made Team USA thanks to some incredible results in golf’s majors. He has 6 top 10s in the last 8 major events including a win at the 2024 US Open. He is a man for the big occasion.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus is Justin’s watch of choice. It’s an icon from one of the holy trinity and Patek’s most sought after model. Famously designed by Gerald Genta and first released in 1976, Justin wears the black dial variant.
Bryson prefers a bit more flashy-ness to his watch and has chosen the Rolex Submariner Rolesor, known as the ‘Bluesy’. Rolesor is Rolex speak for two-tone with the steel and gold of the case and bracelet paired with matching blue bezel and dial.
Bryson’s Submariner is a bit Marmite, you either love two-tone or you don’t and whilst the green or blue dial Nautilus is more people’s cup of tea the black isn’t a bad option either. This one goes all the way to the 18th with Rose snatching the win.
Running score: Europe 2 – 0 USA
Match 3: Viktor Hovland v Collin Morikawa
Viktor Hovland is the first Norwegian to play in the Ryder Cup and in New York he will be making his third appearance at the event. In his first Ryder Cup in 2021 Viktor only managed to score two half points but at the last match in Rome he recorded an impressive 3.5 points.
His opponent is Collin Morikawa. Collin has a very similar Ryder Cup record to Viktor and will also be making his third appearance. When the US won in 2021 he was one of the top performers, however last time in Rome Collin only managed a single point.
This matchup is a battle of the Daytonas with Hovland bringing a Rolex Daytona on Oysterflex to the course. This is a recent equipment change after Hovland switched sponsors from Audemars Piguet to Rolex in 2025. The Oysterflex is only available on precious metal Daytonas making this a step up from your standard steel version.
Collin prefers the more classic of the Daytona’s sporting a ceramic bezel Daytona with black dial. This steel Daytona is arguably the most coveted watch in the world, and with a choice of white or black dial there isn’t a wrong selection, only personal preference.
I think the victory needs to go to Morikawa and Team USA. The 40mm steel case is the hardest of Daytona’s to get your hands on (although I suspect Collin didn’t have to wait too long at the AD). Viktors Oysterflex in precious metal may be more expensive but it’s just not as desirable as the steel ceramic Daytona. For that reason Morikawa takes it, 2 and 1.
Running score: Europe 2 – 1 USA
Match 4: Tyrrell Hatton v Scottie Scheffler
Now that Team USA are back in it, they’re sending out the big guns with world number one Scottie Scheffler. Scottie has been a dominant force in golf the last few years winning three majors and retaining world number one status for the last three years.
Trying to take down Scottie will be England’s own Tyrrell Hatton. Hatton is a ferocious competitor and will be playing in his fourth straight Ryder Cup. Last time out in Rome, Tyrrell went undefeated winning 3 matches and halving the other. He’ll be hoping for more of the same at Bethpage.
These two Ryder Cup stars are facing off in a battle of the dive watches. Hatton’s diver is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver. First released in 2018 this 42mm steel watch is all about the colour. The dial and rubber strap are a bright purple complete with matching purple crown.
Scottie’s diver is the Rolex Submariner with green bezel. The coloured bezel just gives it that slight deviation from your regular black Sub. Affectionately known as the ‘Starbucks’ this ceramic model follows a lineage of green themed Submariners from the aluminium bezel ‘Kermit’ to all green ‘Hulk’.
The purple Royal Oak is a great watch and purple is a trending colour in the world of watches but in a battle of dive watches it’s difficult to see beyond the Submariner. Especially, as that bezel is the perfect match for a golfer strolling the fairways. Scottie wins 3 and 2.
Running score: Europe 2 – 2 USA
Match 5: Rasmus Hojgaard v Justin Thomas
Our final pairing for watches of Ryder Cup players sees European rookie Rasmus Hojgaard tee it up against Justin Thomas. Rasmus’ twin brother Nicolai played in the last Ryder Cup but missed out on the team this time around. Rasmus will be hoping he can follow in twin bro’s footsteps and help Team Europe win the Ryder Cup this time.
Justin Thomas is one of the USA’s most passionate players, he is a three time major winner and on his Ryder Cup debut in 2018 went undefeated, an incredible feat for a rookie. Now playing in his fourth Ryder Cup he will be one of the leaders in the American team.
As a rookie Rasmus opts to play it safe and stylish with the Omega Seamaster Diver 300 ‘No Time to Die’. Made from a titanium case with a titanium bracelet it’s no ordinary Seamaster. As the name suggests it was the watch worn by Daniel Craig in his final 007 outing. The vintage colouring and arrow motif on the dial are a nod to the military connection.
JT takes the go big or go home approach with an outlandish Rolex Day-Date Puzzle Dial in Everose gold. This puzzle dial was a surprise release in 2023 as it showed the brand’s fun side, not something Rolex shares very often. The puzzle pieces are complimented with emojis in the date window and words of affirmation in place of the days.
Despite its fun and lighthearted side, the puzzle dial will always divide opinion and you have to ask how it will stand the test of time. By contrast the ‘No Time to Die’ Seamaster has few critics and will no doubt have a place in Omega’s history. The rookie takes the win 1 up and helps Europe win our watches of Ryder Cup players.
Final score: Europe 3 – 2 USA. Let’s hope this result is a precursor to the real thing in New York.
