[PHOTO: Naomi Baker]
European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald decided to run 2023’s winning team back to Bethpage Black.
Donald announced his six captain’s picks overnight, all six of whom competed in Rome two years ago: Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland and Matt Fitzpatrick. The six captain’s picks are joined by Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre and Rasmus Hojgaard. Eleven of the 12 members are returning, with the lone newcomer – Rasmus Hojgaard – an unofficial part of the 2023 team, helping with club duties while his brother Nicolai played.
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“When you get to represent 11 other guys, your captains, your vice-captains, the fans [cheering] for us, it feels like you’re playing for something bigger than yourself,” Hovland said during the press conference.
The picks were far from a surprise, as Rasmus’ snagging the final automatic selection last week was the only true drama remaining in the European process. Matt Wallace, Harry Hall and Nicolai Hojgaard were among those in the running for captain’s picks that were ultimately left off.
Rahm will be competing at his fourth Ryder Cup. Despite not winning a title on LIV Golf this year, Rahm still captured its season-long individual championship. The Spaniard also contended at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. Joining Rahm as a four-time selection is Fitzpatrick. After being mired in a slump, the 2022 US Open winner came on strong over the northern summer months with six top-10s since June.
Luke Donald’s six captain’s picks include: Ludvig Aberg, Matt Fitzpatrick, Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland and Sepp Straka.
Aberg, after making the 2023 team despite never playing in a major, returns thanks to winning the Genesis Invitational earlier this year. Though Hovland has not recaptured the form he showed in late 2023 when winning the FedEx Cup, the Norwegian has showed glimpses of rejuvenation, including a third-place finish at Oakmont during the US Open.
Straka finished last at the Tour Championship, although that doesn’t diminish a campaign that saw the Austrian win twice on the PGA Tour. Lowry enters as the 23rd-ranked player in the world thanks to two runner-up finishes in 2025.
The Europeans are the defending champions, however they have lost three of the past four matches played on American soil.
“That has been a big part of my preparation,” Donald said, nodding to the European team’s past struggles. “We created a strong culture… we understand our place in the game of golf. We have a chance to set a standard. No just at this Ryder Cup, but at Ryder Cups to come.”
The Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park’s Black course in New York begins on September 26.
