Team Europe may still have a full year before they attempt a historic third straight Ryder Cup triumph, but captain Luke Donald has already assembled much of his prospective squad for a pre‑emptive visit to Adare Manor in Ireland. While the gathering wasn’t as exhaustive as the scouting trips Donald organized before previous victories at Marco Simone Golf Club and Bethpage Black, it offered a valuable early look at next year’s venue for a blend of seasoned campaigners and potential newcomers.
Following the Amgen Irish Open, a group of sixteen players—including ten members of last year’s winning side, two former Ryder Cup veterans and four likely debutants—joined Donald and his vice‑captains for a team dinner and an 18‑hole round on Monday. The itinerary was designed to give the players a taste of the course’s layout, conditions and atmosphere before the DP World Tour’s BMW PGA Championship begins. "Whenever I’m invited to Adore Manor I’ll be there in a heartbeat," said Jon Rahm, praising the resort’s reputation as one of the world’s finest hotel‑golf experiences. "It was a lot of fun, a great chance for us to hang out, remember why we love this game and shake off any first‑time nerves for those who haven’t been there before." Only two members of the 2023 New York squad—Rory McIlroy and Rasmus Hojgaard—were absent from Donald’s entourage.
Former vice‑captain and 2018 winner Alex Noren, along with 2023 team member Nicolai Hojgaard, did attend. Rising stars Alex Fitzpatrick and Kristoffer Reitan earned spots after impressive rookie seasons on the PGA Tour, while Spaniards Eugenio Chacarra and Ángel Ayora represented the newest wave of European talent. Most 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 day’s camaraderie during a Sky Sports podcast: "It was a lovely boys’ day out – good food, good company and a chance to set intentions for what being on the team means and how we move forward together." He added that the round itself was deliberately relaxed, allowing players to enjoy the course in a low‑pressure setting. "Having Adare Manor almost to ourselves is a special experience, and for the rookies it lights a fire – they feel part of the group, part of Luke’s vision and the way we operate as a unit." The four‑man groups tackled the course in calm weather, with some players experiencing it for the first time and others reacquainting themselves with a layout that previously hosted the JP McManus Pro‑Am. Rahm noted the immaculate condition of the fairways and greens: "The weather has been great, the course is in the best shape I’ve ever seen – firm but not overly fast. It’s perfect for both the public and us." Unlike the last two European Ryder Cups, which were held on venues that double as regular DP World Tour stops (Le Golf National in 2018 and Marco Simone in 2023), Adore Manor presents a different challenge.
Course architect Noren explained that the lack of extensive tour data means the organisers have a broader canvas to shape the layout: "We can grow the rough, add or move tee boxes, change bunker placement – it’s not a blank sheet, but we have a lot of flexibility to create a set‑up that suits our strategy." PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai was invited but could not attend due to a close friend’s wedding in Portugal, and Tom McKibbin, who had played two practice rounds with Donald in Ireland, was not part of the group. Ryder Cup qualification is already underway.
Points are being earned through the Race to Dubai rankings for the remainder of the season, with FedExCup points joining the mix in January. Rose believes fresh faces will continue to be vital: "You want experience, but new energy is always welcome – new ideas, playing styles, pairing options.
There’s a huge pool of talent: the Højgaard brothers, Ludvig Åberg, Bob MacIntyre – they’re becoming core members and we can afford another wave of youngsters." Europe’s 2025 squad will likely retain much of the core that secured the 2023 victory in New York. The Molinari brothers, Edoardo and Francesco, have already confirmed a third consecutive role in Donald’s backroom staff. Padraig Harrington has been added as a vice‑captain on home soil, and McIlroy expects the majority of Donald’s last two teams to reconvene in Ireland.
"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 may see a few new faces, but the nucleus will stay the same as long as everyone stays healthy and performs well." The 2026 Ryder Cup is scheduled for September 17‑19 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Donald aims to become the first captain ever to win three successive Ryder Cups, a feat that would cement his legacy in the competition’s history. As the season progresses, the race for the remaining spots will intensify, with players jockeying for points in both the Race to Dubai and the upcoming FedExCup tally.
The blend of seasoned veterans, emerging talents and a well‑planned pre‑event experience at Adore Manor suggests Team Europe is laying a solid cultural and strategic foundation for what could become a landmark achievement in the sport’s most prestigious team event.