Luke Donald will announce the selection of six captains for the Ryder Cup team on Monday as Team Europe bids to become the first Victor in the tournament since 2012.
Donald is already free to use the star-studded cast featuring 2025 stars Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood. And the selection of captains completes what appears to be one of the most powerful aspects of Europe in recent memory.
The Europeans will face the US team at Beth Page Black in Farmingdale, New York from September 26-28.
They last won 16½-11½ in Rome, but the visiting team has not won since the miracle in Medina 13 years ago.
We already know the US choice – Captain Keegan Bradley chooses to choose himself – who represents Team Europe?
captain
Luke Donald
There was a time when Team Europe captains would return to consecutive appearances on a daily basis. Between 1979 and 1995, at the beginning of the Modern Rider Cup era, there were only three people in Europe: John Jacobs, Tony Jacquelin and Bernard Gallacher. This is nine tournaments divided into three different captains.
Team Europe has not repeatedly won a captain since. Team USA has not used the same captain in two straight tournaments since Ben Hogan in 1949. It’s certainly rare for Donald to do it on Beth Page.
Interestingly, it only got three victories, two of which came under Jacklyn in ’85 and ’87. If Donald leads Europe to another victory, he will be the only other person to manage the feat.
Still, Donald gets the support of the group. It was during a post-game press conference at Marco Simone that Rory McIlroy gave him his blessing.
“I think it’s so happy everyone sitting here to welcome him again,” he said.
Having led Europe to victory in command in Italy, Donald hopes to become the first European captain to win on American soil since Jose Maria Orazabal in “The Miracle of Medina.”
“Big opportunities don’t come very often in life, and I believe when they do, you need to grab them with both hands,” Donald said in his release statement.
“This is one of these moments.”
Qualifications
Rory McIlroy
Ryder Cup appearances: 7 appearances (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023)
Individual match records: 16 wins, 13 losses, 4 thailand
Rory McIlroy was the first player to qualify for Team Europe with this Ryder Cup, and his eighth appearance at a famous event comes after one of his most memorable seasons.
The Northern Irishman made his Augustan national heartbreak notorious and completed his career grand slam by winning the 2025 Masters in a trademark, chaotic way. But it wasn’t his only victory. He also won two wins before Pebble Beach and TPC Sawgrass Masters.
McIlroy’s April form was a bit up and down – he missed a cut at the Canadian Open and tied him to 47th in the PGA Championship, but has since managed four top-10 finishes, including an opening at the Royal Portrush.
Robert McIntyre
Ryder Cup appearances: 1 Appearance (2023)
Individual match records: 2 wins, 0 losses, 1 tie
Robert McIntyre may not have won a title on this year’s PGA Tour, but it was still a great season for Scotland, having finished in two runner-ups at the US Open and BMW Championship.
His second appearance in the Ryder Cup comes after his near-perfect debut, which saw him go undefeated, including Sunday’s personal victory over Wyndham Clark.
“Bob has performed several big performances on both sides of the Atlantic this season, and combined with his experience since 2023, it’s invaluable in New York,” said Donald when McIntyre booked his location.
Tommy Fleetwood
Ryder Cup appearances: Three appearances (2018, 2021, 2023)
Individual match records: 7 wins, 3 losses, 2 ties
Just like McIlroy, Fleetwood enters this rider cup and enters this rider cup with a slightly different feeling than last time. The Liverpool-born golfer won his first PGA Tour after 164 attempts were nearby and littered with painful mistakes.
His lifting of the FedEx Cup at East Lake Golf Club gave a happy ending to the historically rough spell. In short, he was the best golfer who has never won on tour. His 30 top five finishes have been the most on the PGA Tour in the past 100 years, according to an ESPN survey.
So Fleetwood can turn his attention to Team Europe’s trustworthy contributor, the Ryder Cup. His seven-game victory in the last three cups has defeated Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas, Jordans Piece and others.
He partnered with McIlroy twice last time with Marco Simone. Will the same be displayed again on Bethpage?
Justin Rose
Ryder Cup appearances: 6 appearances (2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023)
Individual match records: 14 Wins, 9 losses, 3 tees
At 45, Justin Rose becomes the oldest member of Team Europe and brings talent to this roster.
He entered the Ryder Cup in an incredible form, winning the FedEx St. Jude Championship in August, managing the sixth place finish at the Scotland Open and 16th place at the Open. That comes in the same year when he finished second behind McIlroy in the playoffs at the Masters.
The 2023 Ryder Cup was the first time Rose was selected for the tournament – he had competed in all previous appearances – and he was paired twice with McIntyre, winning and tied up before falling to Patrick Cantray to a 2-and-1 defeat.
rasmushøjgaard
Ryder Cup appearances: none
Individual match records: n/a
Rasmus Højgaard will make his Ryder Cup debut this year after securing the final qualifying spot with a Tied-13 finish at the British Masters.
It was not Højgaard’s best year yet on the PGA Tour. He has managed one win each year since his debut in 2019. This year he finished second in the Zurich Classic in New Orleans.
At 24, Dane is probably the youngest member of the team, and he hopes he will do better than his brother Nikolai when he portrays the two in his rookie appearance in 2023, including a single loss to Xander Schaufele.
Tyrrell Hutton
Ryder Cup appearances: Three appearances (2018, 2021, 2023)
Individual match records: 5 wins, 4 losses, 2 ties
The only LIV player to secure Team Europe’s automatic qualification, Hatton embarks on his fourth Ryder Cup.
The British managed to win his verse for the tournament, despite his LIV ranking points not counting against his qualifications. However, his victory at the Alfred Dunhill Link and Dubai Desert Classic last year was enough to book his place along with his major record tied up at the US Open fourth.
Hutton was one of Team Europe’s best performances last time, winning three of his four matches, leaving him undefeated.
Potential Captain Pick
Note: Luke Donald will check out six picks from the 2025 Ryder Cup on BST at 2pm on Monday, September 1st.
John Larm
Ryder Cup appearances: Three appearances (2018, 2021, 2023)
Individual match records: 6 wins, 3 losses, 3 ties
Rahm is only 24th in the European rankings, but the Spaniards do not tee on Bethpage.
Larm, who is in a low position just due to a lack of start to the DP World Tour event, won his second straight-liv golf title in 2025, and was also impressed by the majors, scoring top-15 finishes in Augusta, Quazur Hollow and Oakmont.
A two-time major winner and an impressive match-play opponent, the 30-year-old is also a natural for the Ryder Cup, earning 7.5 points from three appearances. Hope he will once again become a key cog with Donald’s team.
Shane Laurie
Ryder Cup appearances: Two appearances (2021, 2023)
Individual match records: 2 wins, 3 losses, 1 tie
While Raleigh may not show the form he frequently sees in the majors of golf’s premier team events, the 38-year-old needs to add valuable experience to Donald’s side.
The Irishman, the best friend of golfer McIlroy, missed the automatic qualification by under four points and was consistently impressed by the PGA Tour.
He will be eager to add to the 2.5 Rider Cup Points.
Cep Straca
Ryder Cup appearances: 1 Appearance (2023)
Individual match records: 1 victory, 2 defeats, 0 Thailand
Straca saw the Ryder Cup rock earlier this year after two PGA Tour victories in four months. He should still build a team, but it’s fair to say his form has been a bit unstable since May.
Despite having achieved success in three of the four majors in 2025, the Austrian, who missed a cut in three of the four majors, ranked 30th in the Tour Championship, is particularly inconsistent with his putter.
Still, you wouldn’t think Donald would notice his development after 2023.
Ludvig Aberg
Ryder Cup appearances: 1 Appearance (2023)
Individual match records: 2 wins, 2 losses, 0 tie
Marco Simone’s surprise pick and breakout star will be a strength to think about on Beth Page and for years to come.
This year Aberg got a Genesis and got a bit boiling after finishing seventh in the Masters. His form will return at the Scotland Open and he will enter Monday’s announcement behind five straight top 25 finishes.
The Swede, only 25 years old, should win half of his match in his debut and give him the opportunity to further improve his record.
Viktor Hovland
Ryder Cup appearances: Two appearances (2021, 2023)
Individual match records: 3 wins, 4 losses, 3 thailand
For Hovland, it was the Topsita 2025 in 2025, following three straight miss cuts in February and March, resulting in a shocking victory at Valspar. His show should have secured his place ever since.
Hofland made cuts in all four majors that finished third at Oakmont, finishing the season in the top 10 at the BMW Championship before finishing 12th in the Tour Championship. The Norwegian also has a stellar Ryder Cup record and plays in all five sessions of both matches he has been involved in.
Expect him to rekindle his amazing partnership at some point in Beth Page.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Ryder Cup appearances: Three appearances (2016, 2021, 2023)
Individual match records: 1 win, 7 loss, 0 tie
Like Hovland, Fitzpatrick’s location was seriously suspected earlier this year. However, the eighth place finish in the PGA Championship began his campaign.
Fitzpatrick has since had six top 10 in 11 tournaments, and it’s the shape that puts him well for his fourth Ryder Cup appearance.
But what he hesitates Donald is the result of the British Ryder Cup so far. Fitzpatrick never claimed a single point stateside, only to McIlroy win with four balls two years ago.
Harry Hall
Ryder Cup appearances: Appearance of 0
Individual match records: n/a
It was about 12 months for Hall. Will it be enough for the Ryder Cup debut?
Since winning his first PGA Tour victory last July, Hall has established himself as a regular candidate in 2025 with five more top 10 and impressive performances in both Quazul Hollow and Portrush.
His consistency was that he won a spot in the Tour Championship, where he placed 17th place. Certainly food for thought for Donald.
Aaron Rye
Ryder Cup appearances: Appearance of 0
Individual match records: n/a
Unlike Hall, Rai has been tracking towards the bow of the Ryder Cup for a while, but may have missed this opportunity.
His form since his first PGA Tour title at the 2024 Wyndham Championship was only top 10 with two players all year round, and was his first PATY at the 2024 Wyndham Championship (other than a major who made four cuts in 2025).
For potential newcomers, you never know, as he brings a fair amount of touring experience.
Nikolai Hodzigard
Ryder Cup appearances: 1 Appearance (2023)
Individual match records: 0 wins, 2 losses, 1 tie
Nikolai has been overshadowed by the Rasmus brothers since his debut with Marco Simone, and his disappointing season is likely to mean he’s watching rather than playing this time.
Hojgaard has only one top-10 finish in the state all year round, and his performance in 2023 claims only half the point, but he has no favors either.
It’s Alex
Ryder Cup appearances: 1 appearance (2018)
Individual match records: 2 wins, 1 loss, 0 tie
Noren was not visible near the Ryder Cup calculations after returning from his injury with an injury that missed three cuts in seven tournaments.
However, the Norwegian is very impressive in his debut in France seven years ago – since the Scots opened, they have been in a sparkling shape in two top 10 before they win their British master’s degree.
He’s an outside shot, but Donald might be seduced by looking at his recent form alone.
Marco’s money
Ryder Cup appearances: Appearance of 0
Individual match records: n/a
Penge, an informal player with huge power, was destroyed in 2025, but is primarily on the DP World Tour.
Penge won two victories over his name and placed second in the Scotland Open, but his lack of experience abroad may count him. In the worst case scenario, he is the one who sees the future.
Matt Wallace
Ryder Cup appearances: Appearance of 0
Individual match records: n/a
Wallace finished 12th in the European rankings, but since winning the European Masters a year ago, his performance has not been enough to win Donald’s phone.
The British missed six cuts on this year’s PGA Tour and is struggling with his three DP World Tour appearances.
