Europe Captain Donald Selects Experienced Ryder Cup Team for 2025 US Defense

Team Europe captain Luke Donald has finalized his 12-man squad for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, New York, featuring 11 returning players from the victorious 2023 Rome team and one rookie, Rasmus Højgaard. Donald's six captain's picks—Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Sepp Straka—reflect a blend of experience and recent form, with Fitzpatrick notably regaining strong form in recent European Tour events. Despite the continuity, Donald emphasized that the team will adopt new strategies and approaches, acknowledging the unique challenges of competing on U.S. soil, especially at a course as demanding and hostile as Bethpage Black. The selection marks a record for Ryder Cup continuity, with the only change being Højgaard replacing his twin Nicolai Højgaard. The European team aims to defend their title with a focus on adapting to different conditions and opponents, underlining the importance of experience and tactical flexibility. Several notable players, including Matt Wallace and Harry Hall, narrowly missed selection but remain contenders for future events.