The European team for its defense of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage is confirmed after Captain Luke Donald announced his joker choices.
Europe will keep 11 of the 12 players who triumphed in Rome in 2023 after the announcement of Donald’s six selections on Monday.
Donald is widely glued to the Ryder Cup classification, choosing the next five players who have finished outside the six automatic qualification points.
His only departure from the ranking concerned the selection of a major double winner.
Rahm makes the headlines of the captain
Rory McILroy, Robert Macintyre, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Rasmus Hojgaard had all already qualified after extremely impressive seasons 2025.
Shane Lowry, Sepp Starka, Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland and Matt Fitzpatrick join them all while the following five players in the ranking, with the team ended by Jon Rahm of Liv Golf.
Rahm was 24th in the ranking, but Donald opted for the Spanish experience, who helped to achieve glory in 2023 and experienced a beautiful campaign in 2025.
Indeed, Rahm finished in the top 15 in three of the four majors this season and won the individual Golf of Liv title for a second year successive last month.
“It is a different feeling,” said Rahm on Sky Sports when he reacted to his selection.
“I did not think that I would be as emotional as I feel it right now. Luke called and told me a few days ago. New Yorkers are going to be incredible fans, it’s going to be difficult for us.”
A hojgaard replaces another
The only change for Europe of 2023 concerns the Hojgaard brothers.
The inclusion of Rasmus Hojgaard as an automatic qualifier sees him replace brother Nicolai, who was part of the team two years ago but failed to be a choice of Joker this time.
Matt Wallace, who was in tears when he was asked about his hopes of the Ryder Cup after the European masters last weekend, can count unhappy to miss. Wallace was 12th in the ranking. Harry Hall, Marco Penge and Thomas Detry were among the others who can consider themselves unlucky.
“I feel incredibly proud of these guys,” said Donald about his team. “Lots of continuity from Rome, it’s a bit unusual, but shows how good they are.
“But although there is continuity, it is a different animal to play in America. We know how difficult it is. I looked at a lot of different angles to try to prepare for the upcoming challenge.
“It is a question of implementing new techniques. I am very aware that we have lost three of the last four Ryder cups outside by important margins. I tried everything I can to give my team the best opportunity.
“The last two weeks are the most difficult part of the work of a captain. There are people who jockey for the post and people who feel like they could do enough but then get a call to say that they are not in the team and it’s difficult.
“I feel like I have an incredible and strong team and it turns out that there is so much continuity from Rome. It is a different challenge, winning in the Ryder Cup is not easy.”
Ryder Cup teams in full
USA
Automatic qualifiers: Scottie Scheffler, JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, Bryson Dechambeau
Captain’s Picks: Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, Sam Burns
Europe
Automatic qualifiers: Rory McILroy, Robert Macintyre, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Rasmus Hojgaard
Captain’s Picks: Shane Lowry, Sepp Starkka, Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland and Matt Fitzpatrick, Jon Rahm
2025 Captains of Ryder Cup
Donald will direct Europe for the second successive Ryder Cup. He hoped to win a European victory on American soil for the first time since the miracle in Medinah in 2012. In addition, he could become the first European captain to win consecutive victories since Tony Jacklin broadcast two victories and equality from 1985 to 1989.
He goes against Keegan Bradley, who chose not to play the role of captain despite the 11th row of the list of points in the United States.
When is the Ryder Cup 2025?
The Ryder CUP 2025 will take place on the black course of Bethpage State Park in Long Island, New York.
It will start on September 26 and will end on September 28.
