Europe’s squad for the Ryder Cup is now complete as skipper Luke Donald revealed his six captain’s picks.
Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, and Matt Fitzpatrick made the cut.
The sextet join automatic qualifiers Rory McIlroy, Bob MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton and Rasmus Hojgaard in the team as they look to defend the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
Who were the big names to miss out?
It meant there was no room for Nicolai Hojgaard, who was the only player not to retain their spot in the European team from their triumph in 2023.
Instead, he will cheer on twin brother Rasmus from the fairways.
England’s Harry Hall, who had been the fifth-best golfer from Europe over the last three months per Data Golf, was another who agonisingly missed the cut.
The 28-year-old even had the equal fourth-best performance among the European contingent at the recent Tour Championship, which was won by Fleetwood.
Hall finished T17 at East Lake thanks to a score of nine-under, which was bettered by only Fleetwood, Lowry and Hovland.
Unfortunately for Hall, his snub didn’t come out of the blue given he had not been asked to undergo a fitting for a Ryder Cup uniform, an act typically associated with those who are, at the very least, a chance of making the team.
Donald’s reaction to the team being finalised
Speaking to Sky Sports, Donald had full belief in his team to get the job done in what promises to be a ‘different animal’ in New York.
“I feel amazingly proud of these guys and how well they’ve played,” Donald said.
“Obviously a lot of continuity from Rome and it’s unusual to have so many people back, but that just shows how good these players are.
“Even though we have a lot of continuity, this is a different animal to play away in America.
“Even understand how difficult that is and I’ve looked at it from very different angles to try and get us prepared for this amazing challenge ahead.”
How have Donald’s picks performed this year?
Rahm is the most experienced of the contingent hand-picked by Donald to supercharge Europe’s Ryder Cup hopes, as Bethpage Black will mark his fourth-straight appearance in golf’s premier team tournament.
The Spaniard has enjoyed a solid year on the fairways having secured two top ten finishes at majors.
Rahm also ended the Masters tied for 14th, although he struggled to find his groove at the Open where he was tied for 34th.
He also excelled on the LIV Golf circuit as he finished atop the individual points list.
“Jon really sets the standard for us,” Donald told Sky Sports.
“He’s usually the first person up, last person out. It’s amazing how he understands the history of the Ryder Cup and what it represents.
“Jon takes that history under heart and plays like it.”
Fitzpatrick, Hovland and Lowry will turn out in New York for their third Ryder Cup appearances.
Lowry was one spot away from automatically qualifying, while Fitzpatrick has recovered from a shaky start to the season by recording six top-eight finishes from his last eight starts.
As for Hovland, Donald was delighted to bring back a ‘lion’ who was one half of a record-breaking pairing in Rome alongside Aberg in the foursomes.
Straka, who picked up just one point for Europe in 2023, retained his spot despite failing to make the cut at three of the four majors this year.
However, Donald believed the Austrian’s ‘game speaks for itself’.
The Ryder Cup tees off on September 26.
Europe's Ryder Cup team in full
Captain: Luke Donald
Automatic qualifiers: Rory McIlroy, Bob MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton, Rasmus Hojgaard
Captain’s picks: Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Aberg, Matt Fitzpatrick