Rolex and Golf have a longstanding association. It’s nearly impossible not to spot an ad for the iconic Swiss manufacturer during a televised golf event. But that’s a small instance. Originally, it all started back in 1967 when the three big names – Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player became brand testimonees or what you call sponsored athletes.
In today’s date, Rolex does not just back players but every major championship held for men and women, including the Solheim Cup, the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup, the Rolex Series on the DP World Tour and also the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Quite a staggering commitment to the ‘G’ game, isn’t it?
Moreover, the count of sponsored athletes is no longer restricted to 3. The expanded list now includes some of the great names like Anika Sorenstam, Tiger Woods, Lydia Ko, Bernhard Langer, Adam Scott and others.
The whole point of discussing this is that the recently held Ryder Cup 2023 spotted some of the best Rolex watches of all time, which is quite a no-brainer now. But before we talk about the special pieces seen on the wrists of the top golfers in the world, let’s dig into the event.
The Ryder Cup 2023
The Ryder Cup, which is being held every 2 years, just welcomed its 44th edition this October in Rome. The competition sees some of the best golfers around the world competing for three days, during which they are led by former champions who act as non-playing captains. The golfers compete for honour and not money. Luke Donald, a former Rolex Testimonee captained Team Europe that overcame the U.S. Team to become victorious at The Ryder Cup 2023.
Rolex Spotted During The Ryder Cup 2023
Out of 24 golfers who participated in the event, we spoke to 6 and found out their favourite Rolex pieces and what makes them special to them. Here’s what we found:
1. Rolex Daytona ‘Rainbow’ – By Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm, the Spanish professional golfer, finds the Rolex Daytona ‘Rainbow’ bejewelled with 100 gemstones, the most stunning piece in his collection. The golfer received it during his U.S. Open Win in 2021, and it is his most prized possession because of the incredible value it holds. Going with the sources, the Daytona ‘Rainbow’ is one of the most sought-after Rolex watches with an incredible market value. With limited availability and superior material, the watch is a unicorn for Rolex collectors who invest in it to sell Rolex at a hefty price tag later.
However, Jon Rahm prefers to wear his Sky-Dweller more often and was seen wearing the Rolex Yacht-Master featuring Falcon’s Eye dial for the event.
2. Rolex GMT-Master II Everose Rolesor – By Justin Thomas
Justin Louis Thomas, an American professional golfer, shared that the watch that holds the most significance to him is the Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Root Beer’. He likes to reward himself after every achievement he has, no matter how big or small it may be. Justin further added that he had set different levels for rewarding himself and wanted to buy something special whenever he got to World No. 1. So, when he did that, he wanted to purchase a gold Rolex and ordered it with the date engraved on its back.
Also Read: Top 12 Rolex Models Of All Time
3. Rolex Day-Date 40 White Gold – By Luke Donald
Luke Donald, the captain of the winning team, said that the Rolex he got presented as a part of the Ryder Cup is his favourite. And, why not? The player recollected how special it was for him to receive Rolex as a player and as a Vice Captain. The Day-Date 40mm in 18ct White gold is a true classic, presenting both the day and date on the dial.
4. Rolex GMT-Master II White Gold – By Jordan Speith
Jordan Speith has a special story attached to his Rolex, which goes back to 2017 when he won The Open. It was during this event that Rolex gifted him the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II in white gold. Another reason why the watch holds so much significance to Jordan is because it has ‘2015 Masters and U.S. Open Champion’ engraved on its back. Jordan Speith, who wasn’t expecting this utterly surprising move by Rolex, was taken aback by the gesture and added he was thrilled to receive it. The GMT-Master II, a white gold timepiece, has an understated elegance, making it his favourite watch to wear.
5. Rolex Daytona in platinum – By Matt Fitzpatrick
Matt Fitzpatrick is a true Rolex connoisseur with quite a few stunning models in his collection, and he loves each one of them. The one that is probably his favourite is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, crafted in platinum. Matt always wanted his first watch to be his most special, and indeed it is! However, the watch that is a staple in his wardrobe is the Rolex Submariner, which he wears every day. Recently, he ordered the GMT-Master II with a meteorite dial in red, blue and white just before the U.S. Open this year, which perfectly complements the event.
Also Read: Which Rolex models are the hardest to find?
6. Rolex Yacht-Master or GMT-Master II – By Zach Johnson
Zach received his first Rolex as a present from his wife, who gifted him a Rolex Yacht-Master Platinum, and he absolutely adores it. However, during the event, he wore the Rolex GMT-Master II in red, white and blue.
END NOTE
The Ryder Cup, the most prestigious team event in golf, not only showcases exceptional golfing skills but also serves as a platform for athletes to flaunt their style and elegance. In the 2023 Ryder Cup, several top golfers graced the greens with their impeccable Rolex timepieces, adding a touch of glamour to the competition.
All the Rolex models listed above are one-of-a-kind and are the preferred choices among athletes who demand the best in both performance and style. As the Ryder Cup concluded, the golfers' wrists told a tale of precision, elegance, and enduring legacy, echoing the values that define both the sport and Rolex watches.
