With less than two weeks to go until the Ryder Cup, excitement is on the rise in the golfing community. Fans are eager to find out how the teams are preparing and how they will fare in the challenge. In these circumstances, a famous golf coach known for his time spent with the likes of Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka has dished out some unfiltered criticism of the Marco Simone course.

Known for his candor and directness, the coach assessed the course for player compatibility and its topography. His review of the course leaves fans either laughing hard or immensely somber with concern. After all, the veteran trainer has a lot to say about the “horrendous” things surrounding the 2023 Ryder Cup!

Veteran coach who once trained Rory McIlroy favors the French capital over Rome

In a recent interview with Bunkered, Coach Pete Cowen opened up about his opinion on Marco Simone Golf and Country Club ahead of the Ryder Cup. Unfortunately, he didn’t really have a lot of nice things to say about the course. To quote his description, he said, “I don’t like the course, I think the course is horrendous.”

But why? The coach felt that the course was quite demanding for the players, especially the caddies. Cowen worried that the hilly course could exhaust the players well before the singles matches. He cited the example of how Jon Rahm exhausted himself at Whistling Straits during the four matches before the singles.

The former coach of Rory McIlroy was also skeptical about how the captains, Luke Donald and Zach Johnson, were going to handle the squad’s energy drain. When asked if the European team had any advantages at home, the coach disappointingly said, “None, none at all.” He in fact preferred Le Paris National in the French capital, where the Europeans previously tasted victory.

The hilly course has several blind spots, posing a challenge for both teams. However, the American side may perhaps struggle more with the slower greens, considering that they are used to faster ones back home. As per reports, the fairways are tighter than usual too. Perhaps this is what led the renowned golf figure to lash out at the venue!

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And while many may be wondering why Pete Cowen’s opinion trashing the venue matters, well, it’s because of the name he’s earned himself in the sport!

Who is Pete Cowen, and what is the influence he holds in the golf world?

After an underwhelming golf career, Pete Cowen gave up on his professional golf career. This happened when he was 28, and then he became a maestro among golf coaches. He is notorious for his blunt and no-nonsense feedback to the players.

Cowen has coached popular names including Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Graeme McDowell, and Louis Oosthuizen. If you are looking for more recent stars, he has also coached Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, and Brooks Koepka, to name a few.

The coach is popular for impressing Koepka with his hole from a bunker. The LIV star apparently called it a fluke and was surprised when Cowen repeated the maneuver again. Needless to say, he took the man seriously thereafter and picked up some of his wisdom!

Knowing his legacy, the way Cowen describes Marco Simone could leave many worried. However, whether or not his claims stand true remains to be seen!

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