Even though Team Europe may still have a full year before they can chase a historic third consecutive Ryder Cup triumph, captain Luke Donald has already assembled a large portion of his prospective squad for a preview at Ireland’s immaculate Adade Manor estate. While the gathering didn’t reach the intensity of the full‑scale scouting sessions Donald organised ahead of the 2018 victory at Marco Simone and the 2021 win at Bethpage Black, it still offered a valuable early exposure to next year’s venue for a number of players who could feature in the 2025 contest. The contingent was a blend of seasoned Ryder Cup veterans and a handful of promising newcomers. After the Amgen Irish Open, the group enjoyed a team dinner and then headed out for an 18‑hole round on Monday, giving everyone a chance to walk the fairways and greens that will host the competition.
In total, sixteen golfers joined Donald and his vice‑captains for the session. The roster included ten members from last year’s victorious side, two former Ryder Cup participants, and four players who could be making their debut. The mix was designed to foster camaraderie and to let the rookies get a feel for the atmosphere and the pressures of representing Europe. "Any time I’m asked to go to Adare Manor, I’ll go gladly," said Jon Rahm, who praised the resort as "one of the best hotel‑golf experiences in the world." He added that the days spent together were "a lot of fun" and reminded everyone why they love the game and the honor of playing for their continent.
For those who have never set foot on the course, the trip serves as a chance to shake off the first‑time nerves and become comfortable with the layout before the real test arrives. The only notable absentees from Donald’s twelve‑man group that celebrated a 15‑13 victory in New York were Rory McIlroy and Rasmus Højgaard. Former vice‑captain and 2018 winner Alex Noren, as well as 2023 team member Nicolai Højgaard, did travel to the manor. Rising stars Alex Fitzpatrick and Kristoffer Reitan were also in attendance after strong rookie seasons on the PGA Tour, while Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra and Ángel Ayora represented the newest wave of European talent.
Most of the players arrived directly from the Irish Open; Shane Lowry joined later after his record‑breaking 11‑stroke victory at Trump International Golf Links on home soil. Justin Rose reflected on the experience during a Sky Sports podcast, describing the outing as "a lovely boys’ day out" that included a nice dinner and a chance to set intentions for the upcoming season.
He noted that the round itself was "very casual, very fun" and that having the course virtually to themselves was a "pretty special experience." He also explained how the trip can ignite a fire in the younger players: "It lights the fire even more in them to want to be part of that team. It gives them comfort to feel like they’re already part of the group, understanding Luke’s thoughts, the way he runs things and how the captain operates." While the outing may not be a "game‑changing" advantage, Rose emphasized its importance for culture building and team cohesion.
The European players were split into foursomes and played in calm weather, with some seeing the layout for the first time and others reacquainting themselves with a venue that previously hosted the JP McManus Pro‑Am. Rahm praised the condition of the course, saying, "With the good weather they’ve had in Europe, in Ireland, it was in as good a shape as I’ve ever seen it.
It was actually firm. They could have had it as fast as they wanted to. It wasn’t overly fast because obviously they want the public to still enjoy the week.
It was perfect, immaculate." The last two Ryder Cups held in Europe took place on courses that were already part of the DP World Tour schedule – Le Golf National in 2018 (Open de France) and Marco Simone in 2023 (Open d’Italia). Donald therefore faces a different challenge in Ireland, where the course will be set up specifically for the event rather than following a regular tour template. "The strategy around setting up the course is very different when you have a lot of data from the DP World Tour," explained Alex Noren.
"It’s a difficult task to configure it to our advantage, but you have the resources to shape it – you can grow the rough, add tees, expand certain areas. It’s not a blank sheet of paper, but you have a lot of flexibility." PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai was invited to the gathering but had to decline due to a close friend’s wedding in Portugal. Tom McKibbin, who had played two rounds with Donald in Ireland the previous week, 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 set to join the mix in January. Rose hinted that we may see fresh faces in the European squad next September. "I think freshening it up a little bit would be a good thing," he said.
"You want experience, but new energy is always great – new ideas, playing styles, pairing options. There’s plenty of opportunity for guys to break through." He pointed to the smooth transition from Whistling Straits in 2021 to Rome in 2023, which helped solidify players who later performed at Bethpage.
"There are so many good young players – the Højgaards, Ludvig Åberg, even Bob MacIntyre. Those guys are now real stalwarts of the team. Europe has had a great transition, so we can afford another batch of youngsters." Europe will likely retain eleven of the twelve members from the 2023 victory and four of the five vice‑captains for the 2025 event.
The Molinari brothers, Edoardo and Francesco, have already confirmed a third consecutive stint in Donald’s backroom staff. Padraig Harrington has been added as a vice‑captain on home soil, and McIlroy expects that the core of Donald’s last two teams will reconvene in Ireland.
"If there’s ever a place to blend rookies, it is in Europe," McIlroy told Sky Sports. "Continuity between the captain, the players, the vice‑captains is a big thing in a team environment.
Inevitably there will be some new faces, but I don’t think there will be wholesale changes." He added, "The nucleus of our team will remain the nucleus. You might have a couple of new guys, but as long as everyone plays well and stays injury‑free, we’ll have a very similar looking team to what we’ve had the last couple of years." The 2025 Ryder Cup is scheduled for September 17‑19 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Donald will be aiming to become the first captain ever to win three consecutive Ryder Cups, a feat that would cement his legacy in the annals of golf history.
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