Donald leans on Rome veterans as Europe finalises Ryder Cup team for Bethpage
Captain sticks with 11 of the 12 who won at Marco Simone, with Rasmus Hojgaard the only change ahead of a 'bear pit' assignment
Luke Donald has named a near-identical European Ryder Cup side, keeping 11 of the 12 players who triumphed at Marco Simone two years ago as he prepares for what he called a Bethpage "bear pit" at the end of the month.
Donald, Europe's continuity captain and the first repeat skipper for the continent since Bernard Gallacher in 1995, used his six captain's picks to restore much of the Rome-winning group. All six wildcard selections — Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Jon Rahm, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland and Matt Fitzpatrick — were members of the 16½-11½ victory in Italy.
Rasmus Hojgaard clinched the remaining place via the automatic qualifying process and will replace his twin brother Nicolai, the only change from the previous side. "It is extraordinary, and even more extraordinary that we just switched one brother for another," Donald told BBC Sport. "We've changed one initial from Rome, I never imagined that it would be like that."
Donald said experience was central to his thinking for the assignment at Bethpage Black, favouring players who have previously contested the intense, partisan environment of the Ryder Cup. The selection leaves out several players who had been considered outside picks, including the long hitters and in-form performers who had campaigned for a place, as Donald prioritised familiarity with match-play pressure and team dynamics.
The choice represents one of the smallest turnovers between consecutive European Ryder Cup teams in the event's history, underscoring Donald's desire for cohesion and continuity on a testing course widely regarded as one of the most demanding on the rotation. The captain has framed the challenge as both a tactical and psychological battle, with match-play pairing decisions and course setup expected to be crucial in the tight atmosphere at Bethpage.
Europe's squad heads to the United States with the core of the Rome side intact, seeking to defend the title they won with a comprehensive margin two years ago. The remainder of the build-up will focus on final pairings, practice sessions and preparation for the unique pressures of match play under the Ryder Cup format.
Donald — who led the side to victory in Rome — and his playing group now turn their attention to the short-term task of getting ready for the event, with course knowledge, team chemistry and experience central to the captain's strategy as Europe aims to repeat its success on a notoriously hostile venue.