Italian TV personality Melissa Satta will host the Opening Ceremony of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club on Thursday September 28.
Satta, who has both Italian and American citizenship, is a presenter on Sky Sport Italy and has previously worked for MTV Italy and as a fashion model.
She will front the traditional curtain raiser for the biennial contest between Europe and the United States, following in the footsteps of former French International footballer David Ginola who performed the role the last time the Ryder Cup was held in Europe in Paris in 2018.
The hour-long Opening Ceremony will take place at start at 1600 CET on the Fan Village Stage at Marco Simone and will also include live music.
All 24 players from the European and U.S. Teams will then take to the stage to be formally introduced by their respective Captains, Luke Donald and Zach Johnson.
The ceremony concludes with the unveiling of the pairings for the opening session of play, the Friday Morning Foursomes, which begin at 07.35 CET the following day.
Satta said: “I think it is going to be amazing to host the Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony. When I had the call, I couldn’t believe it was actually going to be me.
“To have people from all over Europe and America coming to Rome is going to be very special, all there having fun enjoying sport together.
“Rome is one of the best cities in the world, so everyone is going to enjoy the best food, the best culture and the best weather in September. I think it is going to be unbelievable.”
Satta is a former professional in both karate and football and is a guest presenter on Sky Sport Italy’s football show Calcio Club and host of Goal Deejay, which combines music and football. She also a host of talent show Missione Beauty on Italian channel Rai 2.
The Ryder Cup takes place in Italy for the first time from 26 September – 1 October, 2023.