The Ryder Cup: Europe Aims to Maintain its Dominance in the United States
The wait is almost over. The European team, led by Luke Donald, is preparing to travel to the United States this month and defend the Ryder Cup in Farmingdale, New York, at Bethpage Black. Donald has a stellar team, including figures like Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, who promise to be strong contenders. The captain’s selection has consolidated what appears to be one of the most solid European teams of recent times.Eleven players who participated in Rome in the last edition, where Europe won 16½-11½, are returning. However, the challenge is considerable: no visiting team has won the Ryder Cup since 2012, when the European team achieved the “Miracle of Medinah”.
Luke Donald’s Leadership
In the past, it was common for European captains to repeat their participation. Between 1979 and 1995, Europe had only three captains: John Jacobs, Tony Jacklin, and Bernard Gallacher, who led nine tournaments. Since then, Europe has not had a repeated captain. Donald, by leading in Bethpage, joins a select group.Donald, who led Europe to a resounding victory in Italy, also hopes to become the first European captain to win on American soil since José María Olazábal at the “Miracle of Medinah”.I think everyone here would be very happy to have him back.
Rory McIlroy
Great opportunities don’t often present themselves in life and I firmly believe that when they do, you have to make the most of them. This is one of those moments.
Luke Donald
Classified Players
Rory McIlroy
Appearances in the Ryder Cup: 7 (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023) Individual record: 16 wins, 13 losses, 4 draws McIlroy was the first player to qualify for the European team in this Ryder Cup. His eighth participation comes after one of his most memorable seasons. The Northern Irishman completed his Grand Slam by winning the 2025 Masters. In addition, he obtained two victories before the Masters at Pebble Beach and TPC Sawgrass. His post-April performance has been more variable, but he has achieved four top-10 finishes since then, including The Open at Royal Portrush. In his last participation before the Ryder Cup, he finished in 20th place with a score of 12 under par at the PGA Championship.Robert McIntyre
Appearances in the Ryder Cup: 1 (2023) Individual record: 2 wins, 0 losses, 1 draw Although McIntyre hasn’t won any titles on the PGA Tour this year, he has had an excellent season with two second-place finishes and six top 10s. His second appearance in the Ryder Cup comes after a near-perfect debut where he remained undefeated, including a singles victory on Sunday against Wyndham Clark.Tommy Fleetwood
Ryder Cup Appearances: 3 (2018, 2021, 2023) Individual record: 7 wins, 3 losses, 2 draws Fleetwood arrives at this Ryder Cup with a different feeling. The golfer from Liverpool earned his first victory on the PGA Tour after numerous attempts. His victory in the FedEx Cup ended a difficult period. He was the best golfer who had never won on the Tour. With that overcome, Fleetwood can focus on the Ryder Cup, where he has been a reliable contributor to the European team. His seven victories in the last three tournaments have seen him defeat players like Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas, and Jordan Spieth. Will we see the same duo with McIlroy at Bethpage?Justin Rose
Appearances in the Ryder Cup: 6 (2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023) Individual record: 14 wins, 9 losses, 3 draws At 45 years old, Justin Rose is the most veteran member of the European team, bringing experience and talent. He arrives at the Ryder Cup in excellent form, having won the FedEx St. Jude Championship in August, as well as achieving a sixth place in the Scottish Open and a 16th in The Open. He was also runner-up behind McIlroy at the Masters. In his last event before the Ryder Cup, Rose was in contention after two days at the BMW Championship at Wentworth, but faded over the weekend and finished tied for 61st.Rasmus HøjgaardAppearances in the Ryder Cup: None Individual record: N/A Rasmus Højgaard will make his Ryder Cup debut this year after securing the final qualifying spot with a tie for 13th at the British Masters. It hasn’t been Højgaard’s best year on the PGA Tour, where he achieved an annual victory since 2019. This year, he has only achieved one top 10. At 24 years old, the Dane will likely be the youngest member of the team.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 participate in his fourth Ryder Cup. The Englishman earned his spot despite his LIV qualifying points not counting. His victories at the Alfred Dunhill Links and the Dubai Desert Classic, along with his record in majors, were enough to secure his place. Hatton was one of the best players on the European team in the last edition, winning three of his four matches.Captain’s Picks
Shane Lowry
Appearances in the Ryder Cup: 2 (2021, 2023) Individual record: 2 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw Lowry, despite not showing the same level in the majors, brings valuable experience to Donald’s team. The Irishman, a friend of McIlroy, was left out of the automatic qualification by less than four points and has impressed on the PGA Tour, with two second places this year. He will be crucial for adding points.Jon Rahm
Ryder Cup Appearances: 3 (2018, 2021, 2023) Individual record: 6 wins, 3 losses, 3 drawsAlthough Rahm is ranked 24th in the European ranking, his selection for Bethpage was inevitable. Rahm, whose position is due to a lack of participation in the DP World Tour, won his second consecutive LIV Golf title in 2025 and impressed in the majors, with results in the top 15 at Augusta, Quail Hollow, and Oakmont. A two-time major winner and a formidable matchplay opponent, Rahm is a natural Ryder Cup player.
Sepp Straka
Appearances in the Ryder Cup: 1 (2023) Individual record: 1 win, 2 losses, 0 draws Straka looked like a lock for the Ryder Cup earlier this year after two PGA Tour wins in four months. Although he’s still on the team, his form has been inconsistent since May. The Austrian, who missed the cut in three of the four majors in 2025, finished 30th at the Tour Championship. However, his development since 2023 has not gone unnoticed by Donald.Viktor HovlandAppearances in the Ryder Cup: 2 (2021, 2023) Individual record: 3 wins, 4 losses, 3 draws It has been an irregular 2025 for Hovland, with three missed cuts in a row in February and March, followed by a surprising victory at the Valspar. His performance there, and his subsequent form, secured his place. Hovland made the cut in all four majors and finished in the top 10 at the BMW Championship. The Norwegian also has an excellent record in the Ryder Cup, participating in all five sessions of both tournaments in which he has participated.Ludvig Aberg
Appearances in the Ryder Cup: 1 (2023) Individual record: 2 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws Marco Simone’s surprise and star revelation choice will surely be a force to be reckoned with at Bethpage. Aberg won the Genesis this year and finished seventh at the Masters before slowing down a bit. His form returned at the Scottish Open, and he arrived at Donald’s announcement with five consecutive top-25 finishes. The Swede, only 25 years old, won half of his matches in his debut and has had the opportunity to improve his record.Matt Fitzpatrick
Appearances in the Ryder Cup: 3 (2016, 2021, 2023) Individual record: 1 win, 7 losses, 0 draws Similar to Hovland, Fitzpatrick’s place seemed in serious doubt at the beginning of the year. However, an eighth-place finish at the PGA Championship boosted his campaign. Fitzpatrick has six top 10s in 11 tournaments since then, and it’s that form that earned him his fourth Ryder Cup appearance. What he does need to improve is Fitzpatrick’s Ryder Cup record. Fitzpatrick only has one match win and has never scored a single point in the United States.
