The DS Automobiles Open of Italy, which concluded on Sunday on the green of Guidonia Montecelio in the province of Rome, served as a dress rehearsal for the Ryder Cup, a match between a group of US players and a group of European players that is also the world's third most watched sporting event after the Olympics and the World Cup. The Ryder Cup will be held at the capital's gates from September 29th to October 1st. In the 19th seasonal tournament of the DP World Tour, excluding majors and WGC, the first in Europe, the Scottish Robert McIntyre was expected to defend the title (which boasts a total prize pool of $3.2 million) but suffered a back injury, in a field on which 12 of the winners of this year's races still faced. Approximately 20,000 spectators were present in Rome during the four days of competition. As in previous years, the event was broadcast in 150 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania, totaling nearly three thousand hours of transmission across all formats. Meanwhile, Ryder Cup tickets sold out in 36 hours. Given the impossibility of fulfilling all requests, a draw for the purchase of coupons was held, as is customary at Ryder Cup Europe. Over 140 countries submitted requests. During the event week in September, 46,000 spectators per day are expected. The grandstand set up on hole 1 will seat 4,800 people.