European Ryder Cup Team Picks Announced

As the 45th Ryder Cup approaches, set to take place at Bethpage Black from September 26-28, the selection of the European team captained by Luke Donald was notably less dramatic compared to the buzz surrounding Captain Keegan Bradley’s picks just days earlier.

Returning for his second consecutive Ryder Cup, Donald named six players to join those who had already qualified based on points. The selected players include John Lahm, Shane Laurie, Matt Fitzpatrick, Victor Hovland, Ludwig Aberg, and Sep Straka, alongside previously qualified members Rory McIlroy, Robert McIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Hojgaard, and Tyrrell Hutton.

The only notable change from the 2023 roster is Rasmus Hojgaard stepping in for his brother Nikolai.

The European team will face off against an American squad featuring automatic qualifiers Scotty Scheffler, JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau.

Donald expressed enthusiasm about his picks, particularly highlighting Laurie as someone who thrives in high-pressure situations at the Ryder Cup. “It truly brings out the best in players, and Laurie’s connection to the event is exceptional,” he mentioned.

Rahm, a two-time major champion and Donald’s second pick, shared his emotional take on the upcoming event, saying, “I didn’t realize how emotional it would feel. The excitement in New York will be palpable, but it’ll also be a challenge.”

Straka, making his Ryder Cup debut two years ago, has had a successful year on the PGA Tour, becoming the first Austrian to achieve a win there—this is a remarkable highlight for the team. Hovland, picked for his third consecutive Ryder Cup, is viewed as a cornerstone of the team; Donald referred to him as “our lion in Rome” and expects him to carry that momentum into Bethpage.

Aberg is another interesting selection; he’s making a mark after Donald chose him early in his professional journey. Reflecting on his growth, Aberg stated, “I feel like I’ve gained a lot of experience since then.” This insight hints at the more competitive edge he brings this time around.

Fitzpatrick, who is playing in his fourth Ryder Cup, celebrated his birthday on Monday. Despite a rocky start to the year, Donald pointed out that Fitzpatrick has shown resilience with six top-10 finishes in his last eight outings, suggesting he’s still got it.