Ryder Cup 2025: Europe defines team with McIlroy, Fleetwood and Donald

Luke Donald Reveals His Ryder Cup Team Picks

Captain Luke Donald has announced the six picks to complete the European Ryder Cup team, which will seek victory as visitors for the first time since 2012. With stellar figures already secured, such as Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, Donald’s picks consolidate a European team that is shaping up to be one of the strongest in recent years. Eleven players from the team that participated in Rome, where Europe won 16½-11½, will compete again. However, no visiting team has achieved victory since the “Miracle at Medinah” 13 years ago. This year’s Ryder Cup will pit Europe against the United States team at Bethpage Black, in Farmingdale, New York, from September 26 to 28. The American captain, Keegan Bradley, has already defined his team.

Donald, an unusual captain

In the past, European captains used to be reappointed. Between 1979 and 1995, there were only three different captains: John Jacobs, Tony Jacklin, and Bernard Gallacher, who led nine tournaments. Since then, Europe has not had a repeated captain, and the United States has not had the same captain in two consecutive tournaments since 1949. Donald will seek to guide Europe to victory, a feat only Jacklin has achieved before. The team’s support is evident, as Rory McIlroy expressed in a press conference, showing his confidence in Donald’s leadership.

I think everyone here would be very happy to have him back.

Rory McIlroy

Donald also aims to be the first European captain to win on American soil since José María Olazábal in the “Miracle of Medinah”.

Great opportunities don’t come along very often in life and I firmly believe that when they do, you have to seize them with both hands. This is one of those moments.

Luke Donald

Qualified Players and Captain’s Selections

Here’s a look at the ranked players and captain’s picks for the European team:

Rory McIlroy

Ryder Cup Appearances: 7 (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023)Individual record: 16 wins, 13 losses, 4 draws McIlroy, the first player to qualify for the European team, arrives for his eighth appearance after a memorable season, including the victory at the 2025 Masters.

Robert McIntyre

Ryder Cup Appearances: 1 (2023)

Individual record: 2 wins, 0 losses, 1 draw McIntyre has had an excellent season with two runner-up finishes and six top-10s. His second Ryder Cup appearance comes after a near-perfect debut in 2023.

Tommy Fleetwood

Ryder Cup Appearances: 3 (2018, 2021, 2023)

Individual record: 7 wins, 3 losses, 2 draws Fleetwood achieved his first victory on the PGA Tour after numerous attempts. His experience and reliability make him a valuable player for the European team.

Justin Rose

Ryder Cup Appearances: 6 (2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023)

Individual record: 14 wins, 9 losses, 3 draws Rose, at 45 years old, brings experience and talent to the team. His good physical condition and recent victories solidify him as a key player.

Rasmus Højgaard

Ryder Cup Appearances: None

Individual Record: N/A Højgaard will make his Ryder Cup debut after securing the last qualifying spot. At 24 years old, he hopes to surpass his brother’s performance in 2023.

Tyrrell Hatton

Ryder Cup Appearances: 3 (2018, 2021, 2023)

Individual record: 5 wins, 4 losses, 2 draws Hatton, the only LIV player to automatically qualify, will seek his fourth tournament. His good performance in the previous edition makes him a player to watch.

Captain’s Picks

Shane Lowry

Ryder Cup Appearances: 2 (2021, 2023)Individual record: 2 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw Lowry, despite not showing form in major events, brings experience to Donald’s team. He was the captain’s first choice.

Jon Rahm

Ryder Cup Appearances: 3 (2018, 2021, 2023)

Individual record: 6 wins, 3 losses, 3 draws Rahm, despite his position in the European ranking, was a safe choice for Bethpage. His performance in LIV Golf and in the Majors makes him a key player.

Sepp Straka

Ryder Cup Appearances: 1 (2023)

Individual record: 1 win, 2 losses, 0 draws Straka, after a good start to the year, has had an irregular performance, but Donald has recognized his development since 2023.

Viktor Hovland

Ryder Cup Appearances: 2 (2021, 2023)Individual record: 3 wins, 4 losses, 3 draws Hovland, after an irregular start to the season, secured his place with a victory at the Valspar. His good performance in the Majors and his record in the Ryder Cup back him up.

Ludvig Aberg

Ryder Cup Appearances: 1 (2023)

Individual record: 2 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws Aberg, Marco Simone’s revelation, will seek to improve his record at Bethpage. His victory at the Genesis and his good performance at the Scottish Open back him up.

Matt Fitzpatrick

Ryder Cup Appearances: 3 (2016, 2021, 2023)

Individual record: 1 win, 7 losses, 0 draws Fitzpatrick, after a shaky start to the year, secured his place with a good recent performance. However, he will seek to improve his record in the Ryder Cup. With this team, Europe prepares to challenge the United States in the 2025 Ryder Cup, hoping to break the streak and achieve a historic victory on American soil.