Team Europe may still have a full year before it attempts a historic third straight Ryder Cup triumph, but captain Luke Donald has already assembled much of his prospective squad for a preview at Ireland's immaculate Adade 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 early look at the forthcoming 2025 venue for many of his likely selections.
Following the Amgen Irish Open, a blend of seasoned Ryder Cup veterans and potential first‑time participants converged for a team dinner and an 18‑hole round on Monday. Sixteen players joined Donald and his vice‑captains for the session before they headed to the DP World Tour's BMW PGA Championship.
The group included ten members of last year’s winning side, two additional players with prior Ryder Cup experience, and four men who could make their debut in 2025. "Whenever I'm invited to Adare Manor, I go without hesitation," said Jon Rahm, praising the resort as one of the world’s finest hotel‑golf experiences.
"It was a lot of fun and a great chance for us to spend time together and remember why we love what we do." Rahm added that the trip helped newer players shake off any initial nerves about the course. Only Rory McIlroy and Rasmus Hojgaard were absent from Donald’s core dozen that celebrated a 15‑13 victory in New York. Former vice‑captain and 2018 winner Alex Noren, along with Nicolai Hojgaard—who was part of the 2023 team—also took part. 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 latest wave of European talent.
Most of the contingent traveled straight from the Irish Open, though Shane Lowry arrived later after his record‑breaking 11‑stroke win at Trump International Golf Links in his native Ireland. "It was a lovely boys' day out," Justin Rose told Sky Sports. "We had a nice dinner, set some intentions for the team, and discussed our plans moving forward." The round itself was described as relaxed and enjoyable, offering the first real glimpse of the course in a near‑private setting.
"Having Adare Manor almost to ourselves is a special experience," Rose noted. He said the outing sparked extra motivation among the rookies, giving them a sense of belonging within Luke Donald’s vision for the team. "It isn’t a game‑changing trip that gives us a huge advantage, but it’s crucial for building culture and camaraderie," he added. Players were split into foursomes and played in calm conditions, with some experiencing the course for the first time while others refreshed their memories of the venue, which previously hosted the JP McManus Pro‑Am.
Rahm complimented the course’s condition, saying, "The weather has been great, and the course is in the best shape I’ve ever seen in Ireland—firm and immaculate, though not overly fast so the public can still enjoy it." 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 and Marco Simone in 2023—Adare Manor presents a different challenge because it does not have a full season of tour data for the captain and his staff to analyze. Noren explained, "Setting up the course is a completely different task when you don’t have a wealth of tour statistics. It gives us a chance to shape it to our advantage, whether that means altering rough height, adjusting tee boxes, or changing bunker placements." 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 rounds with Donald in Ireland the previous week—was not part of the group.
Ryder Cup qualification is already underway. Points are currently earned through the Race to Dubai standings, with FedExCup points joining the mix in January.
Rose expects fresh faces to appear in the European lineup next September. "Injecting new energy is always beneficial," he said. "Experienced players provide stability, but new ideas, playing styles, and pairing options keep the team dynamic." He highlighted the depth of European talent, mentioning the Højgaard brothers, Ludvig Åberg, and Bob MacIntyre as examples of young players who have become integral to the squad.
"There has been a smooth transition in Europe, so we can afford another wave of youngsters," Rose added. Looking ahead, Europe will retain eleven of the twelve players from the 2023 victory and four of the five vice‑captains for the 2025 competition. The Molinari brothers, Edoardo and Francesco, are already confirmed for a third consecutive stint in Donald’s backroom staff.
Padraig Harrington has been added as a vice‑captain on home soil, and McIlroy anticipates that most of Donald’s final two teams will reconvene in Ireland. "If there’s a place to blend rookies, it’s Europe," McIlroy told Sky Sports. "Continuity between the captain, players, and vice‑captains is vital.
While new faces will inevitably appear, we won’t see wholesale changes. The core of our team will remain the same, assuming 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 consecutive Ryder Cup victories, a feat that would cement his legacy in the competition’s storied history.