Team USA’s date night, the European wives step out and Djokovic’s swing | Rogers Report

Team USA's date night

Team USA's Ryder Cup date night in Italy.

Jena Sims, Lacey Homa

Hello friends, and happy Wednesday from Marco Simone! It’s been another very hot day here outside Rome, but that didn’t stop me (or any of the fans) from taking on the course. I’m heading into Rome tonight for the Lazio vs. Torino Serie A soccer (or as I like to call it while in Italy, calcio) match this evening, which I am very excited about. This will be my first soccer game since I played on the Wheeler School’s “C” Team in the sixth grade, so it’s safe to say it’s been a while since I’ve watched the sport. Also, I regret to inform you all I have not hit up any gelato spots here yet, which I’m really hoping changes before the next time I check in with you all.

Okay, on to the good stuff.

The celebrity Ryder Cup

My main goal today was to follow the All Star Match at Marco Simone, aka the celebrity matches. Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin captained the teams, and the squads had some serious celebrity depth. Novak Djokovic, Gareth Bale, Kathryn Newton, Carlos Sainz and Victor Cruz are a handful of the players who we watched tee it up. Folks, I watched Kathryn Newton play in the 8AM Invitational at Wynn Las Vegas and she has some serious game. She got crowd going before she smoked her first tee shot down the middle of the fairway in front of a few thousand people at Marco Simone today.

Kathryn Newton on the first tee at Marco Simone
Kathryn Newton on the first tee at Marco Simone Getty Images

After Newton teed off, I caught up with Djokovic’s group. I’ve never seen fans swarm a celebrity like this before. When he hit over the green on the 15th hole, he lost all personal space as fans shoved cameras in his face and demanded photos. His patience was unmatched and he handled it like a total pro. I cannot say I would have been able to do the same.

Also, check out that golf bag. I was disappointed when he didn’t hit the ball with one of those tennis rackets all day.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic Claire Rogers

More from the U.S. Team’s significant others

Last night, I wrote about the wives of Team USA heading on a Roman excursion, which I have a few more details on (thanks once again to social media.) Just this morning, I learned that U.S. Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson’s wife is public on Instagram, which is huge for the program. We now have yet another Ryder-Cup insider sharing what they’re up to with the world this week. To Kim Johnson, Lacey Homa and Jena Sims: your work does not go unnoticed.

Anyway, Kim Johnson shared a few Ryder Cup highlight reels that I’m excited to share with you all. Check out that “Captain’s wife” jean jacket! That thing puts all those “Future Mrs. (Insert fiance’s last name here)” jackets that gals wear when they get engaged to shame.

The European Team wives step out

As great as it must be to tee it up on a Ryder Cup team, I honestly think it might be better to be the significant other of someone who does. You get to dress well, explore a new area and get treated like royalty without the pressure of playing good golf. As a high handicapper, that sounds like a dream to me! Thanks to social media, I’ve been able to piece together what the better halves of the European Team have been up to over the last couple of days.

It’s not a trip to Rome without checking out the hottest tourism spots, so that’s what they started with. Props to them for looking like a million bucks in the 85-degree heat here. I haven’t quite figured out how to make that work yet.

The wives and girlfriends of the European Ryder Cup team
The wives and girlfriends of the European Ryder Cup team Diane Donald
The wives and girlfriends of the European Ryder Cup team
The wives and girlfriends of the European Ryder Cup team Diane Donald
Wendy Lowry and Clare Fleetwood
Wendy Lowry and Clare Fleetwood Wendy Lowry

The gals also attended a pasta-making class, grabbed some sweet treats and rode around town.

The wives and girlfriends of Team Europe took a pasta making class
The wives and girlfriends of Team Europe took a pasta making class Wendy Lowry
The wives and girlfriends of Team Europe
The wives and girlfriends of Team Europe Katherine Gaal
The wives and girlfriends of Team Europe
The wives and girlfriends of Team Europe Diane Donald
The wives and girlfriends of Team Europe
The wives and girlfriends of Team Europe Diane Donald
Erica McIlroy and Diane Donald
Erica McIlroy and Diane Donald Diane Donald

U.S. Team date night

The American squad had a team date night on Tuesday evening, which served as the perfect warm-up for Wednesday night’s gala (or as I like to call it, my Super Bowl). Phillip Phillips performed at the event as well. Nothing like dinner and a private concert!

Anyway, here are some photos from the night.

Nikki Guidish (Patrick Cantlay's fiancee) and Jill Thomas
Nikki Guidish (Patrick Cantlay’s fiancee) and Jill Thomas Lacey Homa
Kim and Zach Johnson
Kim and Zach Johnson Kim Johnson
Jill Thomas, Allison Stokke Fowler and Kim Johnson
Jill Thomas, Allison Stokke Fowler and Kim Johnson Kim Johnson
Max and Lacey Homa
Max and Lacey Homa Lacey Homa
Collin and Kat Morikawa
Collin and Kat Morikawa Kat Morikawa
Jena Sims and Brooks Koepka
Jena Sims and Brooks Koepka Jena Sims
Lacey Homa takes a photo of the Morikawas
Lacey Homa takes a photo of the Morikawas Max Homa
claire rogers

Claire Rogers

Golf.com Editor