U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley on playing at Bethpage, new unis
U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley explains the emotions that go along with playing at Bethpage.
- The European team aims to break their losing streak on US soil, dating back to 2012.
- The Ryder Cup will be held at Bethpage Black in New York from September 26-28.
Luke Donald is running it back … at least as close as you can.
The first repeat captain for the European Ryder Cup team in 30 years made his six picks Sept. 1 and decided on some very familiar names.
Donald completed his roster adding Palm Beach County residents Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland and Matt Fitzpatrick; along with LIV’s Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka and Ludvig Aberg.
The six captain’s picks will join the six players who qualified on points: Jupiter’s Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Hojgaard and LIV’s Tyrrell Hatton.
This may not be the exact same 12 from two years ago, but it is eerily similar. The European captain will lead a team with 11 of the same players from 2023, and all 12 with the same surnames. The only difference is Rasmus Hojgaard replacing his identical twin, Nicolai.
Donald, who lives in Jupiter, hopes this is the formula for breaking a losing trend on U.S. soil. Europe has lost three of the last four Ryder Cups played in America.
Two years ago at Marco Simone in Rome, Italy, Europe’s 16.5-11.5 victory over the U.S. was more one-sided than it appears. Europe swept the morning session on the opening day, and led by eight points entering the afternoon session on Day 2. The U.S. made a modest rally but never threatened.
“A lot of continuity from Rome,” Donald said. “That’s unusual to have so many people coming back, 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. Having the chance to do it again doesn’t mean we’re going to do the same things we did in Rome.”
Since Europe’s stunning comeback at Medinah outside of Chicago in 2012, it lost in 2016 at Hazeltine in Minnesota and was embarrassed in 2021 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. The U.S. also won in 2008 at Valhalla in Louisville.
Donald’s team will face the Americans Sept. 26-28 at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York.
A closer look at Donald’s six captain’s picks.
Shane Lowry
Lowry, 38, was a lock to be a captain’s pick considering he lost his spot in the top six of the points standings the final week, and finished fewer than four points behind No. 6 Hatton. The Irishman, No. 23 in the world ranking, has won three times on the PGA Tour, including the 2019 British Open. He has played in the last two Ryder Cups and is 2-3-1. “We see what Shane brings to a Ryder Cup,” Donald said. “It’s really great to have his energy and his vibe in the team room.”
Jon Rahm
Rahm’s rankings are irrelevant considering he plays on LIV. But for the record, the Spaniard is 24th in the points standings and 79th in the world. Most importantly, he closed in the top 10 of two majors (U.S. Open, PGA Championship) and was T14 at the Masters. He is 6-3-3 in three previous Ryder Cups. Rahm, 30, is a two-time major champion and has won 11 times on the PGA Tour and 10 times on the DP World Tour. “Jon really sets the standards for us,” Donald said. “He’s someone who does a lot through his actions.”
Sepp Straka
Straka, 32, was 1-2-0 in his Ryder Cup debut two years ago. The Austrian had his best year on the PGA Tour with two wins (American Express, Truist) and six top 10s in 22 events. Straka broke into the top 10 of the world ranking in May and currently is No. 13. Straka has won four times on the PGA Tour, his first the 2022 Honda (now Cognizant) Classic. “He’s been performing at a very, very high level,” Donald said. “Quiet, reserve character but has so much fire in his belly.”
Viktor Hovland
Hovland, 27, was 3-1-1 in 2023 after going winless (0-3-2) in his first Ryder Cup two years prior in Whistling Straits. Currently No. 15 in the world, he spent much of the year in the top 10. The Norwegian has seven PGA Tour wins, including the 2025 Valspar Championship. Hovland has three top 10 finishes this year, including third at the U.S. Open. He was very successful playing with Aberg in Rome. “I’m so impressed how dedicated he is to his craft,” Donald said. “How much he puts into it, how much he wants to succeed. He was a lion for us in Rome.”
Ludvig Aberg
Aberg, from Sweden, was 2-2-0 in his Ryder Cup debut two years ago, winning his two foursomes matches with Hovland. Aberg and Hovland put a 9 and 7 beatdown on Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka in foursomes. Aberg, 25, has six top 10s (including winning the Genesis Invitational) on the PGA Tour this year, including three of his last five starts. He is 14th in the world. His win at the Genesis was his second on the PGA Tour. “I think he’s situated himself as one of the best players in the world,” Donald said. “He’s just starting in his career and he proved he can hang.”
Matt Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick slid from a top 10 player in the world to 85th earlier this year but the 30-year-old from England was solid the last two months with five top 10s, including T4 in consecutive weeks at the Scottish Open and British Open. Fitzpatrick has won twice on the PGA Tour, including the 2022 U.S. Open. He has Ryder Cup experience (three previous), but limited success (1-7-0). “He’s turned it around impressively,” Donald said. “He’s playing tremendous golf right now. Really impressive to see how much his game has come along trying to make this team.”
Keegan Bradley’s team anchored by Scottie Scheffler
U.S. captain Keegan Bradley completed his team Aug. 27. The automatic qualifiers include world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Jupiter’s Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English and LIV’s Bryson DeChambeau.
Bradley, who lives in Jupiter, selected Tequesta’s Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Jupiter’s Cameron Young, Jupiter’s Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns with his captain’s picks.
How to watch the 2025 Ryder Cup
What: The 45th Ryder Cup
When: Sept. 26-28
Where: Bethpage Black Course, Farmingdale, New York
Reigning champion: Europe
TV: Golf Channel, USA, NBC
Streaming: Peacock
Tom D’Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
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