At the 45th edition of the Ryder Cup, the U.S. team will, for the seventh consecutive time, sport uniforms made by quintessential American design giant Ralph Lauren. What’s it like to be tasked with creating stylish patriotic looks year after year? David Lauren, the company’s chief branding and innovation officer, explains.
GOLF: How do you start the design process for a Ryder Cup uniform, and how does the process differ from other big events like the Olympics? What’s your primary consideration?
David Lauren: This year, with the Ryder Cup returning to New York, our hometown, it’s particularly special. The location of the tournament is always where we start, and we wanted to create a look and feel that blends a patriotic U.S. team and also captures that unique New York energy. We wanted to create timeless and stylish looks that honor both our country and the heritage of the game. You’ll see classic pieces and more statement pieces. These are some of the best players in the world and they represent our country on a global stage—they need to look and feel their absolute best.
G: In addition to looking clean and cohesive, uniforms must also perform at the highest level. How do you ensure that each piece performs the way you intend? What, in your opinion, can make or break a Ryder Cup uniform?
DL: When we develop our collection, we really think about what players need during intense match play. We work with our players in collaboration over months of development to test and perfect the function of our pieces. Everything is so thoughtfully designed to move perfectly with the player’s swing. It’s really about striking that perfect balance between innovation and tradition-creating technical pieces that perform, always with the sophisticated and timeless look we’re known for.
G: What do you learn from players who come in for fittings, and how are those learnings implemented into the final product?
DL: We’ve been fortunate to work with some of golf ’s greatest players, from Tom Watson to Davis Love III and now Keegan Bradley. Their feedback has been crucial in developing our products, whether that be the precise cut of the pants or the exact drape of a polo. We once actually had Tom Watson get into the shower to test our latest rain gear. That’s the level of detail we go into.
G: The 2021 Ryder Cup uniform collection introduced a wildly popular cashmere hoodie, which appeared in 2023 and is back this year too. Can you describe its viral appeal?
DL: The cashmere hoodie from 2021 really stands out. It’s amazing to see how people have embraced that piece. I think it captures what we try to do at Ralph Lauren — take something classic like a cashmere sweater and reimagine it for the modern golfer. Its popularity shows how golf style has evolved — pieces that feel luxurious but are wearable and functional both on and off the course.
G: In 2023, we saw a lot of color-blocking and stripes for the competition days. This year, the stripes are a little more edgy, and you’ve introduced a fun new print honoring New York. Can you talk us through your design inspiration? Which piece from the collection do you expect to sell out the fastest this year, and why?
DL: Throughout the collection there are many details that celebrate the Ryder Cup coming back to New York. It’s all about capturing that unique energy and attitude. The TOUR Satin Jacket is particularly special. The 13th Man shirt, a play on the fans as the unofficial “13th player” on the team, is a fun statement piece that captures the energy of New York’s sports fans and will also be a favorite among the fans at Bethpage.
The U.S. Ryder Cup team uniforms for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everyone on the masthead. She can out-hustle them in the office, too, where she’s primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style Issue, which debuted in February 2018. Her original interview series, “A Round With,” debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in both in the magazine and in video form on GOLF.com.
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