Ryder Cup 2025: Luke Donald's European Team for Bethpage

Luke Donald Reveals European Team Picks for Ryder Cup

The European team captain, Luke Donald, has announced his six picks to complete the team that will compete in the Ryder Cup. The tournament, which will be held in the United States, will seek to break the winning streak of the home team, which has not won since 2012. Donald already had a stellar team, including figures like Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, and with these selections, a European team is completed that promises to be one of the strongest of recent times. Of the players who participated in the European victory in Rome, eleven return. However, the visiting team has not achieved victory since the “Miracle at Medinah” 13 years ago. The competition with the United States team will take place at Bethpage Black, in Farmingdale, New York, from September 26 to 28. The selections for the American team are now known, with captain Keegan Bradley opting not to include himself.

Luke Donald’s Captaincy

In the past, it was common for European team captains to remain in the role. Between 1979 and 1995, there were only three different captains: John Jacobs, Tony Jacklin, and Bernard Gallacher, who led nine tournaments. Since then, the European team has not had a repeated captain. In the case of the United States team, the last time a captain was repeated was with Ben Hogan in 1949. Donald’s performance at Bethpage will therefore be something unusual. Of the three captains who repeated, they only achieved three victories, two of them under Jacklin’s direction in the years ’85 and ’87. If Donald manages to lead Europe to victory, he would be the only one to achieve it.

“I think all of us here would be very happy to have him back”
Rory McIlroy

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 with 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

Classified and Selected Players

Rory McIlroy

Contents

Luke Donald Reveals European Team Picks for Ryder Cup Luke Donald’s Captaincy Classified and Selected Players Captain’s Selections

Ryder Cup Appearances: 7 (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023)
Individual Record: 16 wins, 13 losses, 4 ties

McIlroy was the first player to qualify for the European team. His eighth appearance comes after one of his most memorable seasons, including his victory at the 2025 Masters.

Robert McIntyre

Ryder Cup Appearances: 1 (2023)
Individual Record: 2 wins, 0 losses, 1 tie

McIntyre, despite not having won titles on the PGA Tour this year, has had a great season with two second places and six top-10 finishes. His second participation in the Ryder Cup comes after a near-perfect debut.

“Bob has had great performances on both sides of the Atlantic this season, and that good form combined with his 2023 experience will be invaluable in New York”
Luke Donald

Tommy Fleetwood

Ryder Cup Appearances: 3 (2018, 2021, 2023)
Individual Record: 7 wins, 3 losses, 2 ties

Fleetwood secured his first PGA Tour victory after numerous attempts. His victory in the FedEx Cup ended a difficult period, and he is now focusing on the Ryder Cup, where he has been a reliable contributor.

Justin Rose

Ryder Cup Appearances: 6 (2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023)
Individual record: 14 wins, 9 losses, 3 ties

Rose, 45, is the most veteran member of the European team. She arrives at the Ryder Cup in excellent form, with a victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship and a second-place finish at the Masters.Rasmus Højgaard

Ryder Cup Appearances: None
Individual Record: N/A

Højgaard will debut at the Ryder Cup this year. Although he hasn’t had his best year on the PGA Tour, he will seek to surpass his brother, Nicolai’s, performance in 2023.

Tyrrell Hatton

Ryder Cup Appearances: 3 (2018, 2021, 2023)
Individual Record: 5 wins, 4 losses, 2 ties

Hatton, the only LIV player who automatically qualified, will participate in his fourth Ryder Cup. He was one of Europe’s best players in the last edition.

Captain’s Selections

Shane Lowry

Ryder Cup Appearances: 2 (2021, 2023)
Individual Record: 2 wins, 3 losses, 1 tie

Lowry, despite not having shown his best form in the majors, will bring 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 ties

Despite being 24th in the European ranking, Rahm was a safe choice for Bethpage. He is a key player in the Ryder Cup, with 7.5 points in his three appearances.

Sepp Straka