LOWRY NAMED AS PART OF DONALD’S RYDER CUP 12
Europe Captain Luke Donald names his six Captain’s picks for thew Ryder Cup that included Ireland’s Shane Lowry. (Photo: Getty Images)
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 Åberg in a record-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.”
As for Lowry, he said Team Europe “would be remembered forever” if they were able to retain the Ryder Cup in the United States.
THE STAGE IS SET
TEAM EUROPE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED AND LUKE DONALD’S CHARGES THAT INCLUDES RORY McILROY AND SHANE LOWRY ARE HEADING TO NEW YORK FOR THE BIENNIAL TEAM EVENT (PHOTO: GETTY)
Lowry said to Sky Sports: “Homefield advantage is huge but it is a huge opportunity and something we would probably be remembered for if we went to Bethpage and retained the trophy.
“I fee this is a new generation for Europe. You’ve got Ludbig Åberg, Nicolai Hojgaard, Nicolai's brother Rasmus, Vincent Norrman, Adrian Meronk. All those young European players doing great things who could be there for the next 10, 15, 20 years.
“It's exciting for European golf and could be a successful generation."
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)