Europe Confirm Ryder Cup Team

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Rory McIlroy of Team Europe
Rory McIlroy of Team Europe (Credit Andre61 via Shutterstock)

Five days after Keegan Bradley confirmed his six captain’s picks for the US Team, Luke Donald did likewise for Europe. There was probably less jeopardy surrounding the Englishman’s six selections, with his US counterpart under a lot of scrutiny about whether or not he would name himself in the US Team.

In the end, the American skipper played it safe and chose to concentrate solely on his non-playing leadership role. It could well be argued that Donald also chose to play it safe, opting for experience and naming the least-changed side in the long history of the Ryder Cup.

In fact, the European team that will enter the fray in the Bethpage bear pit on the 26th of September is genetically identical to the one that was so successful on home soil two years ago. That’s because there is just one change to the dozen that triumphed in Rome in 2023, and that is Rasmus Hojgaard replacing his identical twin brother, Nicolai.

The incoming Hojgaard brother will hope to do a little better than his sibling, with Nicolai taking just a half from three matches at Marco Simone. Rasmus made the team automatically, finishing fifth, while his brother was down in 18th and it was no surprise that he failed to capture one of Donald’s six picks.

The Ryder Cup stalwart, who boasts an incredible Ryder Cup record, with five wins from five appearances (four as a player, one as a captain), opted to use all of his captain’s selections on golfers who took part two years ago. He knows just what it takes to deliver success in this incredible tournament, and no golfer since 1979 has a higher points-won percentage than him (minimum 15 matches played). So, let’s take a closer look at Donald’s dozen…

Rory McIlroy

  • Points and Rank – 3,489, 1st
  • Age – 36
  • Previous Ryder Cups Played – 7
  • Majors Won – 5
  • Current World Ranking – 2

Rory obviously needs no introduction and having completed the career Grand Slam in 2025, he would love to tick off another of his stated aims by winning another Ryder Cup in America. He won twice as many points as the man second on the qualification list and is a talismanic presence for Europe in these competitions. He will lead from the front and be Donald’s chief lieutenant on the course.

Robert MacIntyre

  • Points and Rank – 1,710, 2nd
  • Age – 29
  • Previous Ryder Cups Played – 2023
  • Majors Won – 0
  • Current World Ranking – 9

It was something of a breakthrough year for the Scot, though he has been exceptional for some time now. Second at the US Open and then T7 at the Open, he was brilliant two years ago, taking 2.5 points out of three.

Tommy Fleetwood

  • Points and Rank – 1,622, 3rd
  • Age – 34
  • Previous Ryder Cups Played – 3
  • Majors Won – 0
  • Current World Ranking – 6

Fleetwood finally ended a PGA event after going so close so many times. And what an event – he broke his duck at the Tour Championship to seal FedEx Cup glory and a cool $10m. He made history by becoming the first player ever to finish inside the top three of all of the playoff series events and may well be the form player in the world right now.

Justin Rose

  • Points and Rank – 1,546, 4th
  • Age – 45
  • Previous Ryder Cups Played – six
  • Majors Won – 1
  • Current World Ranking – 12

The veteran of the side and another who will lead, and whose experience could be crucial. Wasn’t great in Rome, but has a fine record overall and a strong US Open record suggests the course will suit him.

Rasmus Hojgaard

  • Points and Rank – 1,284, 5th
  • Age – 24
  • Previous Ryder Cups Played – 0
  • Majors Won – 0
  • Current World Ranking – 52

The Dane is the only rookie in the side and easily the youngest player on either side. He also boasts the worst world ranking. However, his brother’s experience and the presence of the various Scandinavians on the team will help.

Tyrrell Hatton

  • Points and Rank – 1,279, 6th
  • Age – 33
  • Previous Ryder Cups Played – 3
  • Majors Won – 0
  • Current World Ranking – 25

Hatton is now a LIV player but managed to qualify. Was brilliant in 2023, with 3.5 out of 4 points and will certainly add a bit of colour to the team!

Shane Lowry

  • Points and Rank – 1,276, 7th
  • Age – 38
  • Previous Ryder Cups Played – 2
  • Majors Won – 1
  • Current World Ranking – 23

Just missed out on automatic qualification, but his experience, personality and team mentality made him an obvious pick.

Sepp Straka

  • Points and Rank – 1,264, 8th
  • Age – 32
  • Previous Ryder Cups Played – 1
  • Majors Won – 0
  • Current World Ranking – 13

Another for whom it could be argued that this has been a breakthrough year. Two wins on the PGA Tour saw him rise to a career high of seventh in the world. Will be desperate to improve his record from 2023 when he won a single point out of three available.

Ludvig Aberg

  • Points and Rank – 1,140, 9th
  • Age – 25
  • Previous Ryder Cups Played – 1
  • Majors Won – 0
  • Current World Ranking – 14

Despite making his debut last time around, Aberg is still incredibly young. He was solid two years ago and will hope to be even better now. Having played college golf in the States, he will feel at home at Bethpage.

Viktor Hovland

  • Points and Rank – 1,031, 10th
  • Age – 27
  • Previous Ryder Cups Played – 2
  • Majors Won – 0
  • Current World Ranking – 15

The Norwegian was second only to Rory in terms of points won two years ago and will again be central to European success.

Matt Fitzpatrick

  • Points and Rank – 900, 11th
  • Age – 31
  • Previous Ryder Cups Played – 3
  • Majors Won – 1
  • Current World Ranking – 29

Made his Ryder Cup debut back in 2016, so almost counts as a veteran now. His form has been a little hit and miss in 2025, but two solid performances in his last two events were enough to earn him one of Donald’s picks.

Jon Rahm

  • Points and Rank – 582, 24th
  • Age – 30
  • Previous Ryder Cups Played – 3
  • Majors Won – 2
  • Current World Ranking – 80

Low ranking and points tally are a result of his LIV affiliation. However, a Ryder Cup without a Spanish influence wouldn’t feel right and like other great Spanish players before him, Rahm produces his best in the Ryder Cup. Has delivered 6.5 points in his last two appearances.