Team Europe may still have a full year before they attempt a historic three‑peat at the Ryder Cup, but captain Luke Donald has already gathered a large portion of his potential squad for a preview at Ireland’s luxurious Adare Manor. While the gathering was not as exhaustive as the scouting trips Donald organised ahead of previous victories at Marco Simone Golf Club and Bethpage Black, it offered a valuable first taste of the venue that will host next year’s competition. The delegation combined seasoned Ryder Cup veterans with a handful of players on the brink of their first appearance.
After the Amgen Irish Open, the group enjoyed a team dinner before heading out for an 18‑hole round on Monday. In total, sixteen players joined Donald and his vice‑captains for the session, including ten members of last year’s winning side, two former Ryder Cup participants and four newcomers who could debut in 2025.
"Whenever I'm invited to Adare Manor, I go without hesitation," said Jon Rahm, describing the resort as "one of the finest hotel‑golf experiences in the world." He added that the weekend was "a lot of fun, very enjoyable, and a chance for all of us to reconnect and remember why we love this game." For players unfamiliar with the course, the trip helped to dispel any first‑time nerves. Only Rory McIlroy and Rasmus Højgaard were absent from Donald’s core group that celebrated a 15‑13 win in New York.
Former vice‑captain and 2018 winner Alex Noren, along with 2023 team member Nicolai Højgaard, also traveled to Adore Manor. Rising stars Alex Fitzpatrick and Kristoffer Reitan, who impressed during their rookie seasons on the PGA Tour, joined the Spanish newcomers Eugenio Chacarra and Ángel Ayora. Most of the contingent arrived directly from the Irish Open, while Shane Lowry joined later after his record‑breaking 11‑stroke victory at Trump International Golf Links on home soil.
"It was a great boys' day out – we ate together, talked about what it means to wear the European colors and set some intentions for the future," Justin Rose told Sky Sports on their podcast. The round itself was described as "very relaxed and fun, a first look at the course while we essentially had the venue to ourselves – a special experience." For the rookies, the outing sparked an extra flame of ambition, giving them a sense of belonging to the squad and insight into Luke Donald’s leadership style. "It isn’t a game‑changing trip that gives us a huge advantage, but it is crucial for building culture and camaraderie," Rose added. Players were split into foursomes and played under calm conditions.
Some were seeing the layout for the first time, while others refreshed their memory of the course, which previously hosted the JP McManus Pro‑Am. Rahm praised the conditions, noting that the fairways were "as firm as I've ever seen them – they could have been as fast as we wanted.
It wasn’t overly quick because they want the public to enjoy the week, but it was immaculate." The last two European Ryder Cups were staged on courses that also serve as regular DP World Tour stops – Le Golf National in 2018 (also the Open de France) and Marco Simone GC in 2023 (the Open d'Italia). This time, Donald faces a different challenge: a venue that does not have an extensive tour history. "Setting up the course is a completely different task when you don’t have a wealth of tour data," Noren explained.
"The organisers can shape the rough, adjust tee boxes and manipulate the layout in many ways – it’s not a blank sheet of paper, but there’s a lot of flexibility." PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai was invited but could not attend due to a close friend’s wedding in Portugal, and Tom McKibbin – who played two practice rounds with Donald in Ireland – was not part of the group. Qualification for the 2025 Ryder Cup is already underway. Points are currently being earned through the Race to Dubai standings, with FedExCup points joining the mix in January. Rose believes fresh talent will continue to be essential.
"You want experience, but injecting new energy is always beneficial – new ideas, playing styles, pairing options. There’s plenty of opportunity for guys to break through." He highlighted the smooth transition from the 2021 Whistling Straits venue to Rome in 2023, noting how it helped solidify players who later thrived at Bethpage.
"There are so many promising youngsters – the Højgaard brothers, Ludvig Åberg, even Bob MacIntyre – they are becoming the backbone of the team. Europe has managed a great generational shift, and we can afford another wave of talent." From the 2023 victory, Europe retained eleven of its twelve players and four of the five vice‑captains for the 2025 campaign. The Molinari twins, Edoardo and Francesco, have been confirmed for a third consecutive stint in Donald’s backroom staff. Padraig Harrington joins the vice‑captain roster on home soil, while McIlroy expects most of Donald’s last two squads to reconvene in Ireland.
"If there’s a place to blend rookies, it’s Europe," McIlroy told Sky Sports. "Continuity is key – the captain, players, and vice‑captains form a stable core. New faces will come, but we won’t see wholesale changes.
The nucleus of the team will stay the same, and as long as everyone stays healthy and performs, the lineup will look very similar to what we’ve had in recent years." The 2025 Ryder Cup is scheduled for September 17‑19 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Luke Donald will be aiming to become the first captain ever to secure three consecutive Ryder Cups, a feat that would cement his legacy in the competition’s history. As the season progresses, fans can follow the lead‑up events, including the BMW PGA Championship, with live coverage starting Thursday at 7:30 am on Sky Sports Golf.
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