Pressing Issues

The Black Course at Bethpage State Park is, in its own words, “an extremely difficult course” recognised widely as being one of the golf’s toughest tests. This, in conjunction with the fact that Europe haven’t won on United States soil since 2012 and the USA’s current dominance at the top of the world rankings (just 5 of the top 15 players are European), is indicative of the European team being in for a tough test in New York later this year.

All this means that Europe Captain Luke Donald’s 12 players will need to offer a diverse skillset capable of attacking all facets of what will undoubtedly be a formidable USA team.

Section 1: The Automatic Picks

Of course, Europe’s 6 highest ranked golfers are default picks for the Ryder Cup team. There are 3 names in the top 6 who – barring a disastrous season – will be on the team in September.

Rory McIlroy: The world number 2 is never one to shy away from his enjoyment of the Ryder Cup. McIlroy will be one of the team’s senior figures and is set to make his eighth appearance for Europe.

Between now and September, the Northern Irishman will have four more attempts to get his hands on what has been so far, an elusive fifth major trophy.

Tyrell Hatton: After signing a £50 million deal to join LIV Golf in April 2024, Hatton may have some work to do in the majors this year to completely cement a spot that already looks very likely to be his.

Hatton’s only PGA Tour victory came in the 2020 Arnold Palmer Invitational, but he started 2025 with a win in the Dubai Desert Classic.

Ludvig Aberg: Currently embarking on just his second full season on the PGA Tour, the so far short career of 25-year-old Aberg consists of 2 PGA Tour wins and 4 second-place finishes, one of which was in the 2024 Masters.

The young Swede made his Ryder Cup debut in Marco Simone in 2023 just three months after turning professional, and certainly lived up to the occasion. With more experience heading into this year’s event, Aberg’s form could be essential if Europe are to emerge from New York victorious.

Section 2: Theirs To Lose

Shane Lowry: Winner of the 2019 Open Championship and another key figure to Europe’s 2023 victory, Lowry is all but a certain pick for this year’s event. A strong 2024 campaign means he would definitely keep his spot if the team was picked now, but a shaky start to 2025 may need to be amended if he is to keep his spot.

Thomas Detry: Currently in the top six ‘automatic picks’, Detry is hot off the back of his first PGA Tour victory in the Phoenix Open, building on a remarkably consistent 2024 season.

Even if the Belgian falls out of the top six, his mix of firepower and reliability will likely put him right at the forefront of Donald’s thinking.

Section 3: Class of 2023

There will be many who argue that upsetting the rhythm of a near-flawless 2023 performance would be a mistake, and there are no names who won in Rome who are completely out of contention. Having said that, there are certainly some who are more or less guarantees, and others whose names could well be on the chopping block as time goes on.

Tommy Fleetwood: England’s highest ranked PGA Tour player and four-time PGA Tour winner might not be quite as prolific as some of the names that have come before him, but the man whose incredible drive tied up European victory in 2023 is certain to play a role in New York.

An incredible ball-striker with a swing surely imitated by amateurs all around the world, Fleetwood will certainly be one of Donald’s main men.

Sepp Straka: Considered by some as having the best hands in golf, Straka brought a coolness to the 2023 winning team. The Austrian started 2025 with a win in The American Express and will undoubtedly feature in the European uniform later this year.

Robert MacIntyre: MacIntyre has broken into the PGA Tour over the past year or so and was practicing his craft on the DP World Tour before that. His emotional home victory at the 2024 Scottish Open has hopefully set him up for a strong 2025.

Victor Hovland: While undoubtedly declining since his TOUR Championship winning 2023 campaign, Norway’s number 1 is still one of golf’s most prolific figures. Donald – and Hovland – will be hoping for a bounceback in 2025 before heading to New York in September.

There are of course, other names who featured – and starred – in 2023, but for one reason or another are perhaps at risk of losing their spots. This includes Justin Rose, who despite six previous appearances, a recent victory as playing captain for Great Britain in the 2025 Team Cup and a third place in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, will need a strong 2025 PGA Tour campaign to keep his place.

Nicolai Hojgaard will also need a strong 2025 to bring himself into contention. The Dane has become a recognisable name on tour since breaking into the top 100 in 2023, but has not started this season in particularly impressive fashion.

Jon Rahm and Matt Fitzpatrick also featured in 2023 but may have played themselves out of contention with recent performances (Rahm in particular, whose departure to LIV and poor showings in the 2024 majors put him at real risk).

Section 4: In With A Shout

If there are to be any ‘Captain’s picks’ which upset the harmony of the 2023 lineup, one of these three will more than likely be the ones who fight their way into the team. These players are arguably just one good major performance away from having an opportunity to play their part in New York.

Aaron Rai: A remarkably consistent, albeit rarely explosive Englishman whose stock has been on the rise for a number of years now. Rai has played his way into the world’s top 25 and is definitely one of the front-runners eager to displace one of 2023’s dream team.

Alex Noren: Previously a serial winner on the DP World Tour and part of the victorious 2018 team, Alex Noren has impressed with his relentless work-ethic over a number of years now, and is someone probably playing some of the best golf of their career so far.

Rasmus Hojgaard: Nicolai’s brother and a promising individual in his own right on the PGA Tour, Rasmus Hojgaard has been public with his determination to make the 2025 team and play alongside his brother in New York.

Another of Donald’s considerations will be potential pairings – and the idea of an all-Hojgaard siblings pairing or an all-Swede outfit of Aberg and Noren could well twist the captain’s arm if he likes what he sees.

Predicting the Final Team

It’s a slight novelty to predict anything in golf, let alone a 12-man shortlist for a team that won’t play for over 6 months yet. There is no ‘wrong’ selection at this moment in time, and only time will tell if the below prediction will come to fruition.

1: Rory McIlroy

2: Ludvig Aberg

3: Tyrell Hatton

4: Shane Lowry

5: Robert MacIntyre

6: Tommy Fleetwood

7: Sepp Straka

8: Victor Hovland

9: Justin Rose

10: Jon Rahm

11: Thomas Detry

12: Nicolai Hojgaard

So just one change: Detry in for Fitzpatrick.