By GolfLynk Publisher on Wednesday, 09 July 2025
Category: MyGolfSpy

Who Will Make The European Ryder Cup Team?

We’re sneaking up on the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage. A little over two months from now, the U.S. will look to defend home turf against the Europeans.

This week, we are taking a look at which players could make each team. It’s still an open competition for the last few spots on each side as we get deeper into the summer.

After taking a look at the American team, now it’s time to focus on the Europeans.

Here is how the team looked two years ago when they won in Rome.

Rory McIlroy (4-1-0) Ludvig Åberg (2-2-0) Matt Fitzpatrick (1-2-0) Tommy Fleetwood (3-1-0) Tyrrell Hatton (3-0-1) Nicolai Højgaard (0-2-1) Viktor Hovland (3-1-1) Shane Lowry (1-1-1) Robert MacIntyre (2-0-1) Jon Rahm (2-0-2) Justin Rose (1-1-1) Sepp Straka (1-2-0)

The Euros cruised to victory in Italy but are now facing the stern challenge of trying to win a Ryder Cup on this side of the Atlantic. Since 2004, only one road team has won (Medinah in 2012).

Gone are some of the critical benefits they had in Rome. Namely, the funky course at Marco Simone and the extensive course knowledge many of the European players had.

Now the scene shifts to Bethpage Black, a major venue most participants played at the 2019 PGA Championship. There are no tricks to Bethpage—it’s a big ballpark with no room to hide suspect ball striking.

In hopes of a road victory, the Euros have turned to Luke Donald to be captain for a second consecutive cup. He was masterful in Rome and will need all of that magic to silence the raucous New York crowd.

The core of the European team looks solid and unlikely to change but the last three spots are up for debate.

Absolute locks

These are the guys who, barring injury, will be on the team no matter what happens in the next two months.

Jon Rahm

No surprises here. Rahm is the No. 2 player in the world by Data Golf. Rahm hasn’t won in 2025 but he is consistently getting into contention and already has three top-15 major finishes. He has loftier standards than just contending but Rahm is in solid form.

Rory McIlroy

Another easy one here. McIlroy is No. 4 in the world and has won three times this year. Yes, he slipped a little physically (and maybe emotionally) after winning the Masters but he rebounded with a T6 at the Travelers and should be highly motivated by late September. Will McIlroy be the villain that American golf fans love to hate?

Tommy Fleetwood

Fleetwood is a Ryder Cup stalwart and in great form as he is up to No. 5 in Data Golf. Forget about his recent heartbreaks—this isn’t an individual competition. Fleetwood is a core member of the Euro team and should see four matches once again.

Tyrrell Hatton

Hatton fully locked up his spot with a T4 at the U.S. Open. He went undefeated in Rome and is in the prime of his career. Despite his prickly nature on the course, Hatton does everything well and very few can match is iron play.

Highly probable

These are the players who will very likely be on the team but wouldn’t want to go on a cold streak leading up to the event.

Ludvig Åberg

You could argue he should be in the absolute lock category but Aberg has been a little off over the past couple of months. Even with a cold spell, I would be stunned if he is not on this team. His length and iron play will be highly valued at Bethpage.

Viktor Hovland

A win at the Valspar Championship and a solo third at the U.S. Open should have secured Hovland’s spot given his profile. Hovland was great in Rome and is a solid course fit for Bethpage. Cautiously, I’m putting him in the “highly probable” category unless he gets injured—he withdrew from the Travelers with a neck issue.

Shane Lowry

Lowry is such an outstanding culture fit in the European team room that it almost doesn’t matter how he has played. In typical Lowry fashion, he has racked up nine top-20 finishes but no victories in 2025. He’ll surely be ready to go in September.

Sepp Straka

Another one that is at 99 percent would be Straka. He won the Truist Championship and finished solo third at Memorial. He’s also up to No. 19 in Data Golf, an impressive number for someone who we don’t think of being at that level. He’s a shorter hitter but among the premier iron players in golf.

Robert MacIntyre

Bobby Mac is on a bullet train to Bethpage after heating up the past couple of months. He finished runner-up in the U.S. Open and has officially been playing the best golf of his career over a prolonged stretch.

Leaning towards yes

These are the remaining players who have a better than 50 percent chance of making the team but need to play well to secure a spot.

Justin Rose

The only player I have in this category is Rose. His experience is very valuable and he’s been a fixture on the team for many years. He nearly won the Masters over his teammate McIlroy. But Rose has been terrible since Augusta, his ranking plummeting. It shouldn’t matter—he’ll be perfect in a two-match role and adds to the locker room.

In the mix

These are guys who have a definite shot of making the team but it’s far from certain. If all 10 of the players listed above were to make the squad, only two from this category would get the call.

Rasmus Højgaard

After his brother played in the 2023 Ryder Cup, maybe it’s time for Rasmus to get a shot. He’s been mediocre this year but has the gift of incredible power off the tee which could pair nicely with a steady veteran.

Matt Fitzpatrick

Fitz has been in the wilderness for much of the last two years but he’s been trending in the right direction the past two months. Given his experience and the uncertainty around the last few spots on the European team, I think a reasonable run of play could get him in with ease.

Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen

The 26 year-old has been trending in the right direction on the DP World Tour, leading up to a T12 at the U.S. Open. Neergaard-Petersen is very green but has a high ceiling. His length and iron play make him a good course fit.

Harry Hall

Hall is easily playing the best golf of his professional career. He’s been collecting quality starts left and right. The big question mark is that Hall is completely inexperienced on the big stage so this would be a lofty step up in spotlight for the 27-year-old.

Aaron Rai

Despite being No. 30 in Data Golf, it feels like Rai is a bad course fit for Bethpage. He’s ultra-accurate off the tee but among the shorter hitters on the Tour. He’s playing good golf but will need a hot stretch to knock down the door.

Projected roster

Here is the team I think the Europeans should bring to Bethpage as of today.

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

Fortunately, there is still a lot of golf left to play that will solve some of these tough decisions.

Who do you want on the European team? Let me know below in the comments.

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