Fri Sep 05 01:30:00 UTC 2025: **Rahm, Lowry Highlight Donald’s Veteran-Laden European Ryder Cup Team**
NEW YORK – Captain Luke Donald has unveiled his European Ryder Cup team for the upcoming showdown at Bethpage Black, New York, from September 26-28, opting for experience in a bid to secure a rare away victory.
Six of the players who triumphed in Rome in 2023 – Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, and Matt Fitzpatrick – have been selected as captain’s picks. They join automatic qualifiers Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Hojgaard, and Tyrrell Hatton. Notably, Rasmus Hojgaard replaces his twin brother Nicolai, being the only new player to join the team.
This marks the least changed European team in Ryder Cup history, with just one alteration from the victorious 2023 squad. This emphasizes Donald’s faith in the proven chemistry and talent of his players.
“There is a lot of continuity from Rome, that is a bit unusual, but shows how good they are,” said Donald. “But while there is continuity, this is a different animal to play away in America. We know how difficult it is.”
While players like Matt Wallace, Marco Penge and Harry Hall were touted for inclusion, Donald has prioritized experience for the hostile environment of Bethpage Black, where the American crowds are expected to be fervent.
The US team, captained by Keegan Bradley, features Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantley and Sam Burns joining automatic qualifiers Scheffler, JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English and Bryson DeChambeau.
Europe faces a daunting task, with the US holding a strong record on home soil. The last European victory on US soil was the ‘Miracle of Medinah’ in 2012. Donald aims to replicate Tony Jacklin’s feat of winning both home and away Ryder Cups.
First Piper 