Luke Donald has selected Ludvig Åberg,Matt Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka as his six Captain’s Picks to complete his 12-man European Team for the 2025 Ryder Cup in New York.
They join the six automatic qualifiers – Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Rasmus Højgaard, Robert MacIntyre, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose -for the contest against the United States, which takes place at Bethpage Black, Farmington, New York, from September 26-28.
Sweden’s Åberg and Straka of Austria will each be playing in their first away Ryder Cup, having made their debuts in the 16 ½ – 11 ½ victory in Rome two years ago.
Norwegian Hovland, who paired up with fellow Scandinavian Aberg in arecord-breaking foursomes win in Rome, will be making his third consecutive appearance. As will Ireland’s Shane Lowry, who, like Hovland, previously played for Team Europe in 2021 and 2023.
Englishman Fitzpatrick and Spain’s Rahm are the most experienced of the Captain’s Picks, with three previous appearances apiece. Fitzpatrick teed it up in 2016, 2021 and 2023, with Rahm now making it four in a row, following his debut in Paris in 2018.
European Captain Donald said: “I am delighted to welcome Ludvig, Matt, Viktor, Shane, Jon and Sepp to Team Europe, alongside our six automatic qualifiers.
“We are a settled and united team with a strong culture, with 11 of the 12 players from the victory in Rome returning, and an exciting, talented rookie in Rasmus Højgaard, who was around our team environment in Rome.
“We also have a lot of experience and that is going to be important going to Bethpage because we know the challenge that awaits us.
“Although the team itself is similar to Rome, I have approached this captaincy from a very different angle. A different challenge requires different thinking and strategies.
“I’m excited that we now have our 12 players in place, and together we are all fully focused on trying to retain the Ryder Cup in New York and trying to create history.”
EUROPEAN TEAM FOR THE 2025 RYDER CUP
Ludvig Åberg (Sweden). Age 25. Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1 (2023)
Matt Fitzpatrick (England). Age 31. Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 3 (2016, 2021, 2023)
Tommy Fleetwood (England) Age 34. Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 3 (2018, 2021, 2023)
Tyrrell Hatton (England). Age 33. Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 3 (2018, 2021, 2023)
Rasmus Højgaard (Denmark) Age 24. Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 0 (Rookie)
Viktor Hovland (Norway). Age 27. Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2 (2021, 2023)
Shane Lowry (Ireland). Age 38. Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2 (2021, 2023)
Robert MacIntyre (Scotland). Age 29. Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1 (2023)
Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland). Age 36. Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 7 (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023)
Jon Rahm (Spain). Age 30. Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 3 (2018, 2021, 2023)
Justin Rose (England) Age 45. Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 6 (2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2023)
Sepp Straka (Austria). Age 32. Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1 (2023)
