Luke Donald Runs It Back: Europe’s Ryder Cup Team is basically the same squad that smoked the Americans in Rome

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s exactly the mindset Luke Donald is taking to Bethpage Black this month.

Luke Donald, the European Ryder Cup captain finalized his roster Monday, and the theme was obvious: continuity.

Eleven of the 12 guys who embarrassed Team USA in Rome two years ago are back, with the only “change” being Nicolai Højgaard out, his twin brother Rasmus Højgaard in. Even then, Rasmus was part of the 2023 squad’s wider support crew, so it’s not like this is new to him.

This is the European formula right now. Roll out the same killers, keep the vibes strong, and trust that experience matters even more when you’re heading into hostile territory like Bethpage.

Luke Donald’s Picks

Luke Donald didn’t overthink it. He went straight down the points list and grabbed Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland, and Matt Fitzpatrick. Then he dipped a little deeper for his last pick, Jon Rahm.

Let’s be honest, you don’t leave Rahm at home no matter what the standings say.

“Jon really sets the standard for us,” Donald said. “He understands the history of the Ryder Cup.”

Rahm, meanwhile, is already embracing the chaos:

“Cannot wait to be at Bethpage. New Yorkers are going to be incredible fans. It’s going to be difficult for us but looking forward to hopefully having a better showing than the last time we did it in the U.S.”

He knows it’s going to be loud, rude, and hostile. Rahm claims to love it now, but we’ll see how he feels when he steps up to the first tee at Bethpage Black later this

The Lone Rookie

Rasmus Højgaard is the only true newcomer to this team — just the fourth time ever that Europe has brought only one rookie. He punched his ticket late with a strong finish on the DP World Tour, including a clutch British Masters run and a T2 last week in Switzerland.

Who Missed Out?

Matt Wallace came close again, but just like in 2018, he was left on the outside looking in. The 35-year-old was emotional after missing out, and while his finish last weekend was impressive, Donald clearly had his 12 locked in.

The 2025 Ryder Cup Rosters

Team USA 🇺🇸

• Scottie Scheffler
• J.J. Spaun
• Xander Schauffele
• Russell Henley
• Harris English
• Bryson DeChambeau
• Justin Thomas
• Sam Burns
• Ben Griffin
• Patrick Cantlay
• Cam Young
• Collin Morikawa

Team Europe 🇪🇺

• Rory McIlroy
• Robert MacIntyre
• Tommy Fleetwood
• Justin Rose
• Tyrrell Hatton
• Rasmus Hojgaard
• Shane Lowry
• Sepp Straka
• Ludvig Åberg
• Viktor Hovland
• Matt Fitzpatrick
• Jon Rahm

Keegan Bradley Announces Six Captains Picks to Complete 2025 United States Ryder Cup Team

Why This Matters

Luke Donald’s squad has a serious edge going into Bethpage: they know how to win together. That chemistry is real, so is winning on U.S. soil is the hardest thing in golf. Eight of the last nine Ryder Cups have been won by the home team. Europe hasn’t won in America since Medinah in 2012.

Still, Europe is rolling out Rory, Rahm, Hovland, Fleetwood, Fitzpatrick, Hatton, Rose, and the rest of that Rome crew. This isn’t a rebuilding year; this is a straight-up sequel.

The Ryder Cup runs September 26–28 in Farmingdale, New York. Luke Donald vs Keegan Bradley. Buckle up, because if Europe pulls this off in front of New York fans, it’ll be one of their greatest heists ever.

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