Even though Team Europe may not be ready to chase a historic third consecutive Ryder Cup victory for another year, captain Luke Donald has already assembled a substantial portion of his prospective squad at the luxurious Adare Manor. While the gathering didn’t amount to the exhaustive scouting expedition that Donald organized before previous triumphs at Marco Simone Golf Club and Bethpage Black, it still offered a valuable early exposure to next year’s Ryder Cup venue in Ireland for many of his potential picks.
The delegation was a blend of seasoned Ryder Cup veterans and promising newcomers, all arriving on the heels of the Amgen Irish Open. After a team dinner, the group set out for an 18‑hole round on Monday, giving everyone a chance to test the course that will host the 2025 showdown. In total, sixteen players joined Donald and his vice‑captains for the session before they headed off to the DP World Tour’s BMW PGA Championship.
The roster featured ten members from last year’s victorious side, two additional men with prior Ryder Cup experience, and four players who could make their debut in 2025. "Whenever I'm invited to Adare Manor, I go without hesitation," said Jon Rahm, praising the venue as one of the world’s finest hotel‑golf experiences.
"It was a great time – enjoyable and a perfect reminder of why we love this game. For those who have never set foot there, it helps to shake off any first‑time nerves." Only Rory McIlroy and Rasmus Højgaard were absent from the group that celebrated a 15‑13 win in New York.
Former vice‑captain and 2018 winner Alex Noren, along with Nicolai Højgaard—who was part of the 2023 team—also travelled. Rookie stand‑outs Alex Fitzpatrick and Kristoffer Reitan earned spots after impressive first‑season performances on the PGA Tour, while Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra and Ángel Ayora represented the latest wave of talent. Most of the squad arrived directly from the Irish Open, though Shane Lowry joined a little later after his record‑breaking 11‑stroke victory at Trump International Golf Links in his native Dublin. "It was a lovely boys’ day out – we ate together, set intentions for the team, and talked about the road ahead," Justin Rose told Sky Sports on their podcast.
"The round itself was relaxed and fun, a first glimpse of the course. Having Adare Manor almost to ourselves is a special treat." For the rookies, the experience ignited even greater ambition. "It fuels the fire to want to belong to this team," Rose added. "It gives them a sense of belonging, of being part of Luke’s vision and the way the captain runs things.
It isn’t a game‑changing trip that guarantees an advantage, but it’s crucial for culture and cohesion." The European players were split into foursomes and played in calm, dry conditions. Some were experiencing the layout for the first time, while others were reacquainting themselves with a venue that previously hosted the JP McManus Pro‑Am. Rahm noted the immaculate state of the course: "The weather in Ireland has been fantastic, and the course is in the best shape I’ve ever seen – firm, but not overly fast.
They’ve kept it perfect for the public while still being a superb test for us." Unlike the last two European Ryder Cups, which were held on courses that double as regular DP World Tour events—Le Golf National in 2018 (also the Open de France) and Marco Simone in 2023 (the Open d’Italia)—the Irish venue presents a different set‑up challenge. "We have far less data to work with compared to a regular tour stop," Noren explained. "Designing the course to suit us is a tough job, but the organisers have a lot of flexibility – they can grow the rough, adjust tee boxes, and shape the layout however they like." PGA Championship champion Aaron Rai had been invited but could not attend due to a close friend’s wedding in Portugal, and Tom McKibbin—who spent 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 joining the mix in January. Rose believes fresh faces will continue to emerge: "Injecting new energy is always good. You want experience, but you also want fresh ideas, different playing styles, and new pairing options. The transition from Whistling Straits to Rome showed how newcomers can step up, and the same will happen for Ireland." He highlighted the depth of European talent, naming the Højgaard brothers, Ludvig Åberg and Bob MacIntyre as examples of players who have become integral to the team.
"There’s a strong pipeline of young talent, so we can afford another wave of newcomers," Rose said. From the 2023 victory, Europe retained eleven of the twelve players and four of the five vice‑captains for the New York win, and the Molinari brothers—Edoardo and Francesco—are already set for a third consecutive stint in Donald’s backroom staff. Padraig Harrington has been added as a vice‑captain on home soil, and McIlroy expects most of Donald’s core group to reconvene in Ireland next year.
"If there’s a place to blend rookies, it’s Europe," McIlroy told Sky Sports. "Continuity is key – the captain, the players, the vice‑captains. We’ll see a few new faces, but the nucleus will stay the same as long as everyone stays healthy and performs well." 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 secure three straight Ryder Cups, a feat that would cement his legacy in the competition’s history.
As the season progresses, fans can follow the build‑up through the BMW PGA Championship and other DP World Tour events, with live coverage starting each Thursday at 7:30 am on Sky Sports Golf and streaming options available via NOW.