Team Europe unveils 2023 Ryder Cup documentary

A new documentary about Team Europe, Una Famiglia in partnership with Rolex, is being aired for the first time today, giving fans unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to Captain Luke Donald and his players on their journey to a memorable 16½-11½ victory at the 2023 Ryder Cup.

The 90-minute documentary gives an insight into the in-depth planning and team bonding that forged the close relationship under the una famiglia, or ‘one family’, philosophy which underpinned Team Europe’s triumph against the US at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome.

The film crew followed Donald, his wife Diane, and the players in the months leading up to last year’s contest, taking viewers through the team building process Europe went through following their record defeat at Whistling Straits in 2021.

The documentary examines what it means to belong to Team Europe, and looks at how Donald built on the foundations of previous captains and teams to extend a proud unbeaten record on home soil that stretches back to Seve Ballesteros’ winning captaincy in 1997.

It also gives a sneak peek inside the Team Europe dressing room during the 2023 Ryder Cup itself, chronicling the emotions of the players, caddies and the backroom team in what proved to be a dramatic and emotionally charged week in Italy.

Some of the stars from Team Europe, such as Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood, also give exclusive interviews revealing exactly why being part of Team Europe means so much to them. They also reveal how Donald’s methods led to them calling for ‘two more years’ resulting in his reappointment as captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage in New York.

Una Famiglia is available to watch from 4pm (GMT) on December 3 on the Ryder Cup YouTube channel. The documentary will also be broadcast on television in more than 100 countries. In the UK, it will be available on Sky’s platforms from December 5, with subscribers able to watch on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Golf. In the United States, it will be broadcast on the Golf Channel from December 10.

Una Famiglia has been a full two years in the making and has been produced by Ryder Cup Productions in partnership with IMG and Rolex. Rolex’s long-standing relationship with golf and its leading stars dates back nearly 60 years. The Swiss watchmaker first partnered with the Ryder Cup and Team Europe in 1995 and became a Worldwide Partner of the event in 2021.

Luke Donald said: “Team Europe has always been one big family and that bond was instrumental to our success in Rome last year. The Ryder Cup is about being part of something bigger than yourself and that ethos is something that has been passed down between generations of European players. The documentary gives fans an insight into the level of detail that goes into our preparations, leaving the viewer in no doubt as to how much the Ryder Cup means to European golf.”

Guy Kinnings, CEO of the DP World Tour and Ryder Cup Director in 2023, added: “Sports fans increasingly want to go behind the scenes and watch raw, unfiltered moments from the biggest events in sport. Una Famiglia does just that, giving viewers privileged access to golf’s greatest team contest through the eyes of its biggest stars.

“Luke Donald proved an inspirational captain in Rome and the documentary gives insights into the multiple innovations – the one percent things – that Luke, Diane, the Vice Captains and the wider Team Europe staff introduced to get every advantage they could. If any sports fans want to get a glimpse into how a team prepares for one of the biggest events of their lives, then Una Famiglia is a must watch.”

Tim Lacy, SVP, Studios, IMG, added: “This documentary invites sports fans to relive one of the most memorable Ryder Cups in recent history through exclusive interviews and previously unseen footage. Working closely with our partners Ryder Cup Europe and Rolex, this film captures a unique and intimate perspective, immersing viewers in the preparation, passion, and determination that defined Luke Donald’s successful captaincy and Europe’s unforgettable victory.”