Ryder Cup moments simply feel different. The team event has a way of bundling the fiery passion of each player and directing it toward a common cause, generating a conflagration of emotions no other golf event can muster. Fortunately for us, this historic weekend of golf is nearly here as the greatest in the world prepare to suit up and take the field. Here’s a look at what you need to know heading into the special weekend.

The Venue

The teams alternate hosting and this year it’s the Americans who are playing on home soil at Whistling Straits Golf Course in Town of Mosel, Wisconsin. A true links-style layout that meanders along the coast of Lake Michigan, Whistling Straits is no stranger to many of the players, having hosted three PGA Championships since 2004. Wind often plays a major factor at the course, which will put a priority on accurate ball striking in order to access heavily bunkered greens. The par-72 course is also silly long when stretched out, tipping at 7,790 yards. We’re not sure how far they’ll actually play it at, but the U.S. side definitely has a distance advantage they’ll want to utilize, so it could be in the ballpark of that number.

The Favourites

The Europeans have beat the Americans in four of the last five Ryder Cups. And although the U.S. team has often had a higher overall world ranking, more experience, and more major winners, it can be argued that comradery outcompetes confidence in this event. Yes, the Americans have more household names, but they also have some of the, say, larger personalities, which can turn sour when the going gets tough. The last Ryder Cup is a perfect example. The U.S. team’s play was hampered by scandalous social media rumours, press leaks, and petty infighting, all of which contributed to a pretty low week. Judging by Brooks Koepka’s recent comments, calling the Ryder Cup “hectic,” we’re not off to an auspicious start.

The Schedule

 The Ryder Cup will kick off Friday, September 24, with foursome matches (alternate shot), followed by four-ball (best-ball) in the afternoon. The same schedule and formats will take place on Saturday. On Sunday is when the guys go head-to-head in 12 singles matches.

The Teams

United States Team

Captain: Steve Stricker

Dustin Johnson

Justin Thomas

Bryson DeChambeau

Justin Thomas

Brooks Koepka

Patrick Cantlay

Collin Morikawa

Daniel Berger (captain’s pick)

Collin Morikawa (captain’s pick)

Harris English (captain’s pick)

Tony Finau (captain’s pick)

Scottie Scheffler (captain’s pick)

Jordan Spieth (captain’s pick)

Xander Schauffele (captain’s pick)

European Team

Captain: Padraig Harrington

Jon Rahm

Bernd Wiesberger

Tommy Fleetwood

Tyrrell Hatton

Rory McIlroy

Viktor Hovland

Paul Casey

Matthew Fitzpatrick

Lee Westwood

Sergio Garcia (captain’s pick)

Shane Lowry (captain’s pick)

Ian Poulter (captain’s pick)