Shane Lowry secures his spot in the European Ryder Cup team as captain Luke Donald makes six key selections.
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Today, in a thrilling announcement, Shane Lowry has officially secured his spot on the European Ryder Cup team, chosen by captain Luke Donald for the highly anticipated showdown against the USA later this month in New York. This marks Lowry’s third appearance in the esteemed tournament, reinforcing his status as a vital asset to the European squad.
Meet the Team: Key Players to Watch
Joining Lowry, Donald has also picked five other standout golfers as his Captain’s Picks: Ludvig Åberg, Matt Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland, Jon Rahm, and Sepp Straka. Together with the six automatic qualifiers—including heavyweights like Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose—this creates a formidable 12-man lineup ready to take on the Americans.
Speaking of McIlroy, with seven previous Ryder Cup appearances under his belt, he brings a treasure trove of experience to the team. The competition is set to take place at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, from September 26 to 28, promising an exhilarating face-off.
New Faces and Team Dynamics
For both Åberg and Straka, this Ryder Cup will be their first experience playing away from home after debuting in the victorious 16½ – 11½ match in Rome two years ago. Hovland, who previously teamed up with Åberg for an impressive record-breaking performance, is gearing up for his third consecutive Ryder Cup.
Fitzpatrick and Rahm, the most experienced among the Captain’s Picks, each bring three previous appearances to the table. Fitzpatrick’s Ryder Cup journey includes tournaments in 2016, 2021, and now 2023, while Rahm is set to make his fourth consecutive appearance following his debut in 2018. Can you feel the excitement building?
Words from Captain Luke Donald
In his recent statement, Luke Donald expressed unwavering confidence in his team: “We are a settled and united team with a strong culture. Eleven of the twelve players are returning from our victory in Rome, along with an exciting rookie in Rasmus Højgaard, who was part of our environment there.”
Donald underscored the significance of experience as they gear up for the challenges that lie ahead at Bethpage. “While the team is similar to Rome, I’m approaching this captaincy with a different mindset. Different challenges require different thinking and strategies,” he noted. He concluded with palpable enthusiasm about finalizing the roster: “Together, we are fully focused on trying to retain the Ryder Cup in New York and create history.”
Full European Ryder Cup Team for 2025
- 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 – Age 38; Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2 (2021, 2023)
- Robert MacIntyre (Scotland) – Age 29; Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1 (2023)
- Rory McIlroy – 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)
