WENDY LOWRY has said ‘Ciao’ from Rome alongside several other Ryder Cup WAGs ahead of Friday’s big tee-off.

The spouse of major winner Shane was joined by Clare Fleetwood, Diane Donald and Erica Stoll – wife of fellow Irish star Rory McIlroy.

The Lowrys often socialise with English star Tommy Fleetwood and his better half so it’s no surprise to see them beaming side by side.

Meanwhile Diane Donald’s husband Luke will be trying to stitch the entire Team Europe effort together in his guise as captain.

Clara native Shane will be keen to repay Luke’s faith in him with the 45-year-old having used one of his wildcard picks on him despite Adrian Meronk out-performing him across 2023.

And they’ll likely need Lowry to live up to his 2021 showing if they’re to have any hope of dethroning the US.

While Europe have home advantage – with the home side only failing to emerge victorious once in the last eight editions – Team USA is inarguably more talented this year.

They won in convincing 19-9 fashion last time out in Whistling Straits.

But fans hoping to see a lot more blue on the board over the course of September 26-29 will be banking on the set-up of The Marco Simone Golf and Country Club aiding Europe’s underdogs.

The course has a stunning mix of long and short holes with the thick rough, blind shots, huge bunkers and the sweltering heat set to provide additional challenges.

A picturesque castle overlooks the fairways and even some swamp rats might be spotted roaming the grounds.

Zach Jonson will be matching wits with Donald as Team USA’s captain.

Brooks Koepka, Rickie Fowler, Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth headline his squad which has been bolstered by the return of LIV Golf rebels unlike their counterparts.