Europe’s team for their Ryder Cup defence at Bethpage is confirmed after captain Luke Donald announced his wildcard picks.
Europe will retain 11 of the 12 players that triumphed in Rome in 2023 following the announcement of Donald’s six selections on Monday.
Donald has largely stuck to the Ryder Cup rankings, picking the next five players who finished outside the six automatic qualifying spots.
His one departure from the rankings concerned the selection of a two-time major winner.
Rahm headlines captain’s picks
Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Rasmus Hojgaard had all already qualified automatically following hugely impressive 2025 seasons.
Shane Lowry, Sepp Starka, Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland and Matt Fitzpatrick all join them as the next five players in the rankings, with the team rounded off by LIV Golf’s Jon Rahm.
Rahm was 24th in the rankings, but Donald opted for the experience of the Spaniard, who helped deliver glory in 2023 and has enjoyed a fine 2025 campaign.
Indeed, Rahm finished in the top 15 in three of the four majors this season and won the LIV Golf individual title for a second successive year last month.
“It’s a different feeling,” Rahm said on Sky Sports as he reacted to his selection.
“I didn’t think I would be as emotional as I feel 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.”
One Hojgaard replaces another
The one change for Europe from 2023 concerns the Hojgaard brothers.
Rasmus Hojgaard’s inclusion as an automatic qualifier sees him take the place of brother Nicolai, who was part of the team from two years ago but missed on being a wildcard pick this time around.
Matt Wallace, who was tearful when asked about his Ryder Cup hopes after the European Masters this past weekend, can count himself unfortunate to miss out. Wallace was 12th in the rankings. Harry Hall, Marco Penge and Thomas Detry were among the others who can consider themselves unlucky.
“I feel amazingly proud of these guys,” Donald said of his team. “A lot of continuity from Rome, that is a bit unusual, but shows how good they are.
“But while there is continuity this is a different animal to play away in America. We know how difficult it is. I have looked at lots of different angles to try and prepare us for the challenge ahead.
“It is about implementing new techniques. I am very aware we have lost three of the last four away Ryder Cups by significant margins. I have tried everything I can to give my team the best opportunity.
“The last two weeks are the most difficult part of a captain’s job. There are people who are jockeying for position and people who feel like they might have done enough but then get a call to say they are not in the team and that is tough.
“I do feel like we have an amazing and strong team and it just so happens that there is so much continuity from Rome. It is a different challenge, winning away in Ryder Cup’s is not easy.”
Ryder Cup teams in full
USA
Automatic qualifiers: Scottie Scheffler, J.J. 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 Starka, Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland and Matt Fitzpatrick, Jon Rahm
2025 Ryder Cup captains
Donald will lead Europe for the second successive Ryder Cup. He will hope to secure a European victory on US soil for the first time since the miracle at Medinah in 2012. Additionally, he could become the first European captain to claim back-to-back wins since Tony Jacklin oversaw two wins and a tie from 1985 to 1989.
He will be going against Keegan Bradley, who elected not to take the role of playing captain despite sitting 11th on the USA’s points list.
When is the 2025 Ryder Cup?
The 2025 Ryder Cup will take place on the Black course at Bethpage State Park in Long Island, New York.
It will start on September 26 and conclude on September 28.
