Golf Dec 07, 2025

Ryder Cup 2025: Luke Donald hopes continuity in Team Europe can help tackle 'different animal' of away contest at Bethpage Black

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Ryder Cup 2025: Luke Donald hopes continuity in Team Europe can help tackle 'different animal' of away contest at Bethpage Black

Luke Donald believes naming most of Team Europe's last winning Ryder Cup team for this year's contest can help them tackle the "different animal" of an away Ryder Cup.

Donald selected six of his victorious 2023 team as his captain's picks for Team Europe, meaning 11 of the 12 players in this year's line-up were part of their 16.5-11.5 win over Team USA in Rome.

The strong squad has Rasmus Hojgaard as the only rookie and eight players with previous experience of featuring in an away Ryder Cup for Europe, who look to win on American soil for the first time since the 'Miracle at Medinah' in 2012.

Donald's settled line-up is the least changed team in Ryder Cup history, although he insists there will be differences in how they tackle this year's contest against Keegan Bradley's side at Bethpage Black.

"It [an away Ryder Cup] is a different animal and it's a different challenge," Donald said. "Obviously having the chance to do it again doesn't mean we're going to do the same things we did in Rome.

"That's about implementing new techniques. I've really tried to look hard at exactly what this will require.

"I'm very aware that we have lost three of the last four away Ryder Cups by significant margins and it's a tough challenge. It's a tough environment, but I've tried everything I can to give our team the best opportunity."

Donald is adamant that pairings and tactics may look different to the ones used during their 16.5-11.5 win in Italy two years ago, despite Hojgaard replacing twin brother Nicolai Hojgaard as the only change to his roster.

"I feel amazingly proud of these guys and how well they have played," Donald added. "Obviously a lot of continuity from Rome. It's unusual to have so many people coming back but just shows how good these players are.

"Just because we have a very similar team doesn't mean we are going to roll out the same pairings or the same line-up in foursomes and fourballs. I think over a two-year period, these players do change. Their profiles change, and we'll adapt to that.

"This isn't certainly a question of rinse and repeat from Rome. The strategies and the thought processes and I'm trying to come at in this one is quite different to what we did in Rome.

"It's nice to have a continuity within the team, the memories, the experiences that we got to celebrate together. When it comes to this Ryder Cup, it doesn't necessarily mean we are going to have the same partnerships."

The top 11 in Ryder Cup qualification standings will be part of this year's European side, with Matt Wallace - ending the campaign 12th - the highest-ranked player to miss out on a pick.

Wallace broke down in tears when discussing his hopes of a Ryder Cup appearance on Sunday, following a runner-up finish at the Omega European Masters, with Donald speaking to the Englishman soon after.

"These last few weeks are never the most fun and a bit stressful for a captain, but [I'm] excited where we are, and the preparations have already happened and will continue to happen for Bethpage," Donald said.

On Wallace, he added: "They [calls with players not picked] are all very difficult for different reasons. I called him 10 or 15 minutes after that emotional interview he did in Crans and I felt very emotional for him.

"It just shows to me what the Ryder Cup means to these guys and how they are trying to desperately make the team and be a part of it. Matt has made no secret of that over the years, and he's come very close a number of times.

"I think that call was tough but to be honest they are all pretty tough. I think these guys all really wanted to be on that team."

SportNews will continue to be the home of the Ryder Cup, with all three days of the 2025 exclusively live.

There will be extended live coverage from every day of Ryder Cup week, starting on Monday September 22, with round-the-clock coverage then live from 9am on Friday September 26. Not got Sky? or

Tags:

golf news id:13423233

Share this article

Related Posts

Rory McIlroy: Masters champion defended over crucial practice rounds at Augusta ahead of successful title defence

Rory McIlroy: Masters champion defended over crucial practice rounds at Augusta ahead of successful title defence

Rory McIlroy's preparations for his successful Masters defence have come under scrutiny, but questions over the fairness of his time spent at Augusta...

The Masters: Rory McIlroy looks to Justin Rose 'blueprint' for major longevity after 'home' victory at Augusta National

The Masters: Rory McIlroy looks to Justin Rose 'blueprint' for major longevity after 'home' victory at Augusta National

Rory McIlroy has backed Justin Rose to find an elusive second major title and believes he can use his Ryder Cup teammate as a ‘blueprint’ to keep buil...

The Masters: Rory McIlroy's next major mountain? How Masters title defence at Augusta National could bring more history

The Masters: Rory McIlroy's next major mountain? How Masters title defence at Augusta National could bring more history

Rory McIlroy reassessed his major goals after completing the career Grand Slam at The Masters, with his successful title defence now providing opportu...

The Masters 2026: Hole-by-hole breakdown of Rory McIlroy's historic title defence and another major win at Augusta National

The Masters 2026: Hole-by-hole breakdown of Rory McIlroy's historic title defence and another major win at Augusta National

Rory McIlroy made more major history with a successful title defence at The Masters, with another roller-coaster Sunday required to close out victory...

The Masters: Rory McIlroy savours 'incredible' title defence after another dramatic major win at Augusta National

The Masters: Rory McIlroy savours 'incredible' title defence after another dramatic major win at Augusta National

Rory McIlroy admitted that it would have been a ‘bitter pill to swallow’ to not turn a record-breaking halfway lead at The Masters into a historic tit...

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil says competition is "funded through the season" amid reports breakaway league could fold

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil says competition is "funded through the season" amid reports breakaway league could fold

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil said the series is "funded through the season" and would "work like crazy" to keep it going amid speculation its Saudi backe...