A Ryder Cup victory for Europe at Marco Simone in September will be long remembered without prompting for those involved in the triumph. But just in case anyone on the losing side might be starting to get over the disappointment of a 16½-11½ defeat, well Luke Donald was here with a reminder, courtesy of the DP World Tour social media team.

Do you hear what I hear? ?@LukeDonald | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/EeRhvkZtiD

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) December 23, 2023

There’s something exquisite in the simplicity of this wondering message/troll. After polishing replica Ryder Cup trophies, Donald hears the famous cheers that rang throughout Marco Simone, capped by the call for two more years. The Englishman is excited to do that, having already been named a returning captain for the European side that will compete at Bethpage Black in 2025.

Donald wasn’t done with the Ryder Cup look back. On Christmas Day, he had another post to share with followers and make sure everyone once more got to appreciate how meaningful the victory at Marco Simone was for him and his family.

Merry Christmas from the Donalds ?? pic.twitter.com/dheIQV7Ubu

— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) December 25, 2023

Something tells us that there is any article of clothing, desk accessory, etc., that has the Ryder Cup logo or trophy on it, the Donald family owns it. 

Main image: Richard Heathcote

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The trio join World Number Two Rory McIlroy and his Ryder Cup teammate Nicolai Højgaard, who won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai last month, in the field featuring 60 professionals and 60 amateurs.

The Dubai Invitational will see a 72-hole strokeplay DP World Tour tournament played concurrently with a three-day team Pro-Am, with Sunday featuring professionals only.

Donald, who Captained Team Europe to a 16½ – 11½ victory against the United States in the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, was recently announced as Europe’s first repeat Captain since Bernard Gallacher performed the role in 1991, 1993 and 1995.

Victorious Team Europe in Rome – Getty

The former World Number One will lead Europe at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York and is looking forward to the prospect of beginning his 2024 DP World Tour season in Dubai.

“It’s great to start my 2024 season at the Dubai Invitational,” said Donald. “We always get a lot of support from the fans when the Tour visits Dubai. It’s a cool place to play golf and with the added novelty of this being a brand-new event on the calendar, I’m sure it’s going to be a fantastic experience for everyone.”

Six-time DP World Tour winner and Dubai resident Fleetwood will make back-to-back appearances on the DP World Tour next month as the Englishman looks to build on momentum generated from an impressive 2023 season, which included his second Ryder Cup win, and a runner up finish in Dubai at the DP World Tour Championship.

Naomi Baker/Getty Images

New Zealander Fox secured his biggest career victory to date at the 2023 BMW PGA Championship after posting a five under par round of 67 on Sunday to lift the famous trophy at Wentworth Club in England.

The 36-year-old now has four DP World Tour victories to his name, including the 2022 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which features similarities to the Pro-Am format at the Dubai Invitational.

“I’m really excited for what 2024 has to offer and kickstarting things at the Dubai Invitational will be a fun week,” said Fox. “I’ve always enjoyed playing the Pro-Am format, it’s a unique way for us to compete and I’ve had success playing alongside some interesting characters from all walks of life.”

Richard Heathcote

Tom Phillips, Head of Middle East for the DP World Tour, said: “We’re excited to be launching the Dubai Invitational for the first time as part of our expanded 2024 DP World Tour schedule. The event will ensure we start the season in style, and we can’t wait to welcome 60 professionals and 60 amateurs to the fantastic Dubai Creek Resort in January.”

Chris May, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Golf, added: “With less than one month to go, final preparations for the Dubai Invitational at the historic Dubai Creek Resort are well under way. We’re looking forward to hosting another DP World Tour event here in Dubai – one that promises to deliver something for everyone to enjoy.”

The first event on the International Swing on the DP World Tour’s new 2024 schedule, the Dubai Invitational will be played bi-annually in 2024, 2026 and 2028.

Main Image: DP World Tour / Getty Images

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Luke Donald has been named as the European Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York.

The 45 year old Englishman returns to the role having led Europe to a 16½ – 11½ victory against the United States in the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy, earlier this year.

He will become Europe’s first repeat Captain since Bernard Gallacher performed the role in three consecutive Ryder Cups, in 1991, 1993 and 1995.

Donald will be aiming to become only the second Captain to lead Europe to victories both home and away, following Tony Jacklin who achieved the double at Muirfield Village in Ohio in 1987, retaining the Ryder Cup following his team’s victory two years previously at The Belfry, in England, in 1985.

Donald said: “I’m delighted and honoured to have been given the chance to lead Team Europe in the Ryder Cup once again. Great opportunities don’t come along very often in life and I’m a great believer that when they do, you need to grab them with both hands – this is one of these moments.

“I’ve been fortunate as a player to have had many amazing times in the Ryder Cup over the years and so to add being a winning Captain to that, to form bonds with the 12 players like we did in Italy and to get the result we did, was very special indeed.

Victorious Team Europe in Rome – Getty

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“It feels a bit weird really,” said the two-time Ryder Cup player, who was briefly ranked in the world’s top-10, a few months after seeing off Tiger Woods down the stretch to win the 2005 WGC-HSBC Champions. “But lovely. You start off trying to get on tour, you want to earn a living, you eventually realise you’re going to do that and have big hopes winning tournaments, eventually Ryder Cups. But I don’t think you ever dream of being here this many years later. I’ve overtaken first, Sam [Torrance] and eventually, Miguel [Angel Jimenez], who is still going strong. It’s been a life’s work and it’s been amazing.

“I’m pretty sure Miguel will overtake me again unless I play exceedingly well this week,” Howell continued. “I’m getting very close to the end of my playing days sadly on this tour, which will be a sad moment for me. Miguel with the brilliance he’s shown into his 50s is, I’m sure, just about more than welcome at any tournament. I’m sure he can leapfrog over me once more. I don’t think it’s going to be a running battle.”

Still, exactly 10 years on from his most recent win, the 2013 Dunhill Links, it wasn’t long before Howell was metaphorically changing hats. In his chairmanship role on the Tournament Committee, he is involved in the selection of the next European Ryder Cup captain, a process he intimated is likely to see some change next time round. But Howell’s assessment of Luke Donald’s performance last week did hint heavily at where his vote is likely to go.

“Luke as our captain was clearly, I would say, flawless,” Howell said. “From speaking the entire first paragraph in his speech in fluent Italian with an accent, he looked like he had taken to the role incredibly well. The decisions he made seemed perfect just about all the way through, and boy, did his players perform.”

So how likely is it that Donald will get the nod?

“There’s no reason why he couldn’t,” Howell said. “We’re going to have a different selection process this year I believe. Details to be confirmed going forward. A lot of support for ‘captain fantastic’ at the moment and rightly so. But where we go with it as a tour won’t be down to the players’ committee. It will be a collaboration of a few different entities within our environment, and we’ll come up with the best choice possible.

Howell noted previous times where Europe has leant on repeat captains. “Of course, we have history with [Tony] Jacklin and Bernard Gallacher doing it three times in a row each. We have moved away from that model to give everyone a fair crack at the whip and have their moment in the sun. Luke has enjoyed that. We’ll see where we go.”

Howell said the selection process won’t begin until later in the year and is not likely to include formal interviews as has been the case in the recent past.

Some strong hints in there. For those fond of a wager, putting money down on Donald, the sequel, at Bethpage Black 2025 sounds like a smart investment.

Main image: Naomi Baker

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The issue for the Americans, however, is that no team has ever rallied from that big a deficit to actually pull out a Sunday win since the match’s inception in 1927. Miracle? That might be extreme, but historic performance is a very accurate description of what Zach Johnson and his squad must pull off for the 30-year road victory drought to finally come to an end.

It will all play out amid the drama that closed Saturday’s action and had golf fans buzzing. On the final hole in the final match of foursomes play, Patrick Cantlay pulled out an impressive win with a clutch birdie (his third straight), then unloaded a day’s worth of pent-up frustration toward the constant heckling he was receiving from the crowds as a reaction to a report on why he wasn’t wearing a hat. But when Joe LaCava, Cantlay’s caddie joined in, it touched off a series of emotional exchanges—including a fiery video of Rory McIlroy needing to be held back by fellow teammates—that instant infused the otherwise lopsided affair with buzz.

RELATED: Every player’s final record and point allotment at Marco Simone

As was the case then the previous two days, Day 3 of the 44th playing of the biennial event comes packed with its own intrigue and drama. Below you’ll find everything you need to know to follow Sunday’s opening play in sunny and warm Italy. Check back throughout the day for updates and insight as golf’s most compelling event continues.

• • •

WHERE THINGS STOOD STARTING THE DAY

Europe started Sunday’s play with a five-point lead, 10½-5½. No team with this large a lead entering singles play had ever failed to win the Ryder Cup. A total of 28 matches (points) were on the line this week, with the U.S. needing to win 14 to retain the Cup (having won it last time) and Europe needing 14½ to win it back.

• • •

SUNDAY SINGLES TEE TIMES (all times EDT)

5:35 a.m.: Scottie Scheffler (U.S.) vs. Jon Rahm
5:47 a.m.: Collin Morikawa (U.S.) vs. Viktor Hovland
5:59 a.m.: Patrick Cantlay (U.S.) vs. Justin Rose
6:11 a.m.: Sam Burns (U.S.) vs. Rory McIlroy
6:23 a.m.: Max Homa (U.S.) vs. Matt Fitzpatrick
6:35 a.m.: Brian Harman (U.S.) vs. Tyrrell Hatton
6:47 a.m.: Brooks Koepka (U.S.) vs. Ludvig Aberg
6:59 a.m.: Justin Thomas (U.S.) vs. Sepp Straka
7:11 a.m.: Xander Schauffele (U.S.) vs. Nicolai Hojgaard
7:23 a.m.: Jordan Spieth (U.S.) vs. Shane Lowry
7:35 a.m.: Rickie Fowler (U.S.) vs. Tommy Fleetwood
7:47 a.m.: Wyndham Clark (U.S.) vs. Robert MacIntyre

• • •

HOW THINGS SHOOK OUT

It’s tricky to get a real sense of how the session would play out too early, but after all the matches got through at least five holes, some clarity appeared. Europe needed four points, and got one early when Hovland beat Morikawa, 4 and 3.

Soak it in Viktor, you deserve it! ?#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/1SYGxzeYnQ

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) October 1, 2023

Meanwhile, McIlroy was in control in his match with Burns, so Europe’s point there seemed assured—and was locked in when McIlroy closed out the match on the 17th, winning 3 and 1.

That meant the first match off between Rahm and Scheffler, a repeat of their singles clash in 2021 (won by Scheffler), turned pivotal in terms of the comfort level for either team as the remainder of Sunday played out. It was a see-saw affair throughout, Rahm going 2 up after five holes but Scheffler fighting back to take a lead after 11, then Rahm coming back, then Scheffler coming back to take a 1-up lead through 15 holes with this birdie.

Scottie ?#RyderCup | #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/nfcFIJnsgb

— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) October 1, 2023

They tied the drivable par-4 16th hole with birdies and the par-3 17th with pars.

On the par-5 18th, Scheffler missed the green right with his second shot while Rahm hit the green in two, 90 feet from the hole. Scheffler, however, hit his chip over the green, while Rahm nearly holed his eagle try. When Scheffler failed to hole his birdie pitch, Rahm won the hole, tied the match … and grabbed a half-point.

For American fans, there were positives coming. Specifically in the play of Cantlay, who continued the momentum he built on Saturday to close out Rose with a 2-and-1 win (Rose making things sort of interesting on the back nine after being 3 down through 11 holes).

At this point (10:01 a.m. Eastern), Europe was leading 13-7, needing 1½ points for the win. The question was where would they come from. Hatton eventually got one, winning his match over Harman, 3 and 2, to claim his first ever Ryder Cup singles win.

Yesssss @TyrrellHatton!! ?

We need just half a point to win the Ryder Cup. #TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/0Gm4k7KKSK

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) October 1, 2023

So then the attention went to the Homa-Fitzpatrick match, Homa 1 up with one hole to play. If Fitzpatrick could win the 18th hole, that’s the half-point needed to clinch the Cup for Europe. And it became a much bigger possibility when Homa’s second shot on the par-5 home hole ended up in a crazy spot next to the greenside bunker, forcing him to take an unplayable lie.

ANDREAS SOLARO

To Homa’s credit he played a solid flop shot leaving himself eight feet to save par. Fitzpatrick had a birdie try from 15 feet to win the hole, tie the match and win the Cup, but missed. So then Homa had to make the par putt to keep the European win from happening. And, well, just as he had all week, he came up clutch.

The definition of clutch. @maxhomapic.twitter.com/eIN4sxNhXo

— Golf on CBS (@GolfonCBS) October 1, 2023

OK … now where would the last half-point for Europe come from? The Americans grabbed two more points with wins by Koepka and Schuaffele to get the score to 14-10. The remaining four matches were all tight. And if the U.S. somehow pulled out them all out for wins? Well, that would mean a 14-14 tie and the U.S. would retain the Cup.

But that possibility ended on the 16th hole when Fowler, 1 down to Fleetwood, hit his tee shot on the drivable par-4 hole into the water. When Fleetwood drove the green, he was able to win the hole—with a surprising concession from Fowler—and guarantee a tied match with the American. That guaranteed that last half point for Europe …

The moment @TommyFleetwood1 secured the half point that guarantees we win the Ryder Cup ?#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/45MHGfK516

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) October 1, 2023

… which became a full point when Fleetwood closed out the match on the 17th hole, 3 and 1.

Thomas gave the U.S. its 11th point when he closed out his match with Straka on the 18th hole, 2 up. And Europe got another full point in McIntyre’s win over Clark. When Lowry and Spieth tied the last match, the final result was in.

Europe is the winner, 16½-11½.

• • •

TWO MORE YEARS?

Luke Donald was pressed into service a little more than a year ago to be a replacement captain for Europe when Henrik Stenson jumped to the LIV Golf League. Needless to say, Donald proved a more than capable leader, organizing an efficient structure with his vice captains and then allowing his 12 players to thrive at Marco Simone. Not surprisingly, then, his players appreciated what Donald did for them to succeed, and offered this show of support for a possible second captaincy in 2025 at Bethpage Black.

Two more years, @LukeDonald ?#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/YmB5IOtt6m

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) October 1, 2023

• • •

HUGGING THINGS OUT?

The question on Sunday morning was whether the drama of Saturday night would carry over. If you listen to the reports on NBC, however, the vitriol has simmered. Steve Sands reported that on Saturday night Joe LaCava was in touch with Rory McIlroy and his camp via text to try to work things out. According to Sands, LaCava asked to meet with McIlroy face-to-face on Sunday morning, and after that meeting, the powderkeg had been defused.

The problem? McIlroy after winning his match with Sam Burns, 3 and 1, told NBC’s Cara Banks that he DID NOT meet with LaCava in the morning.

We’ll see too if the crowds allow this storyline to become reunited. Their support for McIlroy was evident on the first tee Sunday as he prepared to play Sam Burns.

Biggest cheer of the morning goes to @McIlroyRory.

He takes on Sam Burns in Match 4. pic.twitter.com/Z79UqMEO3b

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) October 1, 2023

• • •

MORE HATLESS GOLFERS

Whether a sign of solidarity with Patrick Cantlay or not, Collin Morikawa decided not to wear a hat during his Sunday singles match with Viktor Hovland.

Richard Heathcote

And Justin Thomas didn’t have his cap when he teed off in his match with Sepp Straka.

Darren Carroll/PGA of America

Main image: Richard Heathcote

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Captain Luke Donald, who has a future in home-improvement TV presenting, walked us through the squad’s digs and they aren’t just a perfect home-away-from-home, but perhaps a motivator of sorts. If Europe win, give the MVP to whoever laid this all out.

Let Captain @LukeDonald take you inside the European team room ??#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/DoqELtU2kY

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 26, 2023

It all starts with José María Olazábal’s Braveheart-inspired quote from the Miracle at Medinah: “All men die but not all men live — you made me feel alive again this week.” And it somehow only builds from there.

Donald pinpoints the “homely” team room first, which features photos from the team’s first outing together, a dining hall for mealtimes and perhaps a drink or two and a chill-out area for when players aren’t on the course. There’s nothing better than kicking back between matches and watching the broadcast on a fleet of plush couches.

We then jump to the locker room that is centred around a wall with the 168 names of players who have suited up for Team Europe at the Ryder Cup. Once you read every single name, you can adjourn to the Rookie Room, which has a breakdown of all of the great Ryder Cup rookies who have helped the Europeans over the years. “Part of my captaincy is making sure that all the rookies feel like they belong. That they have an opportunity to contribute to Team Europe,” Donald says. “These are the guys in the past that have really shined as rookies.”

The locker room itself is nothing to scoff at as well with coordinated lockers for all of the players — and even all of the caddies. Nice touch there.

The dressing room quickly follows which Donald dubs his “most favourite room”. There are 13 lockers, one for each pro, and a final one for Seve Ballesteros, “the ultimate symbol of what makes a player great”. The lockers also all say: “This is your time” in the player’s native language.

A picture of Seve, designed by local art students, will see the players out onto the course. Yet another beautiful idea in a building chockful of them.

If this doesn’t get the Europeans fired up to win one for their homelands, nothing will. It’s a posh and extravagant layout to be sure, but if it leads to a victory, all of the money, creativity and hard work that went into it will be worth it.

All images: Ryder Cup Europe

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“So because we’re in Rome,” I began, “obviously this is the site of a famous historical empire that never lost at home until some serious internal divisions weakened them and then the barbarians were at the gates and they took over. This may be a jet-lag question — I desperately need sleep — but Luke, do you worry that you’re something like the last Roman emperor? And Zach, do you ever think of yourself as a Visigoth dressed in bear furs ready to attack?”

Before we get to their answers, let’s examine how I did with my history. It’s true that the Roman Empire was based in Rome — I nailed that — and it’s also true that Rome fell because of internal strife and invasion by Germanic tribes like the Visigoths. In fact, the Visigoths were the first outsiders to sack Rome in 800 years when they looted the city in 410 AD. Did they wear bear furs? I have no idea. I’m not sure where that came from. (To any Visigoths I’ve offended, I sincerely apologise.) Did the last Roman emperor fall with that Visigoth attack? Wikipedia says no. But overall, for an extremely tired question at a press conference, I’ll take a B+.

As for the parallel — Europe are the failing Roman Empire, undefeated at home for 30 years in the Ryder Cup but reeling due to LIV decimations, and Americans are the barbarians at the gate who have spent decades learning from the enemies. Sure, it’s a little tortured. I’ll own that.

Luke Donald. Mike Ehrmann

Now, what did they say? Donald went first.

“Well, history is always important,” he said, laughing. “We know that, and hopefully the beginning of the history of the Roman Empire will be kind to European golf this week.”

“Wow,” Johnson added.

“I’ll keep my answer short,” Donald concluded.

I’m not 100 per cent sure what he meant about the beginning of the history of the Roman Empire, unless he was choosing to correct me and say: “Hell no, this isn’t the end, this is the beginning.” Which is fine, but I’m not just seeing the parallels.

Johnson went next: “I do love history, and I do appreciate certainly what this country is about, and specifically this city,” he began diplomatically. “I mean, Luke and I had the pleasure, I would even say distinct honour of walking the streets of Rome in Europe a year ago and actually hitting a ball by the Colosseum and the ruins and whatnot. I don’t take that for granted, whether you’re talking empires, biblical importance, whatever it may be, I mean, this history, the history of Rome, I mean, it’s the eternal city.”

“All that being said, this is golf.” (The other reporters laughed at this line, cruelly undermining my thesis.) “I mean, this is sport. I’m going to keep it pretty simple. That’s the way I operate. I’m going to let whatever drama you’re trying to get into, I’m going to let that happen inside the ropes with our golf balls.”

Afterward, in an exchange relayed to me by our Dave Shedloski, who put the hard question to Johnson again — do you feel like a Visigoth in bear furs —  the US captain said, “I don’t even know who the Visigoths are.”

So, in the full analysis, I have to admit that my idea didn’t go over so well with the big guys. A few other journalists made some remarks in passing afterward, so maybe this has some legs as the week goes on. But in any case, if the Americans win, and Johnson strikes across the fairways of Rome like the conquering King Alaric of the Visigoths (maybe wearing bear furs, maybe not) and Donald weeps like Honorius at seeing his empire ravaged, just remember where you heard it first.

Main image: Zach Johnson. Mike Ehrmann

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It was a little more than a year ago that the Old World club’s leader Henrik Stenson vacated his captaincy by departing to LIV Golf, and a number of LIV Golf players such as Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter vacated their DP World Tour memberships, making themselves ineligible for the biennial match. But the Europeans are welcoming in a new era, one highlighted by Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and Matt Fitzpatrick and bolstered by automatic qualifiers Tyrrell Hatton and Robert MacIntyre. On Monday, those six qualifiers were joined by captain’s picks in Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, Ludvig Aberg and Nicolai Hojgaard.

Is this team good enough to retake the cup and continue the European home-winning streak that dates back to 1993? Our editors offer their instant analysis at Stenson’s replacement, Luke Donald’s picks and how the Europeans stack up as they prepare to make the trip to Italy and Marco Simone at the end of September.

Biggest surprise among the captain’s picks?

Nicolai Hojgaard. He’s deserving, with three finishes of T-6 or better in his last six starts. And there was a real possibility Ludvig Aberg’s European Masters win would have cannibalized Hojgaard’s chances, in that there was theoretically room on the Euro roster for one upstart but not two. Give Donald credit; it’s a fun and “sexy” decision, but above all else it’s a decision that’s brazen. —Joel Beall

Stacy Revere

Just as we saw with Zach Johnson’s American selections, Donald was fairly predictable, for the most part, with his six. Aberg’s addition will raise eyebrows in some corners, but only among those not paying attention. The kid was on the express escalator to this day even before he won Sunday’s European Masters. —Dave Shedloski

I’m having a hard time being surprised by just about anything Donald did with his picks, even picking the palpably off-form Shane Lowry. Having six captain’s selections was always going to offer him a safety net, which is important for the Europeans. Much more than the Americans, they need to have a system in place that will absolutely identify what the captain sees as absolutely the best 12 available. The standard of player on the DP World Tour drops off pretty significantly once you get past the obvious names. Not as much as it used to, admittedly. Things are changing. But that fact remains a factor in every Ryder Cup calculation across the pond. —John Huggan

About half this European team could be considered surprising if you strip out the context around them. But when you take a step back, it’s truly incredible Aberg is on this team. Not because he isn’t a very good player (he is), or because he couldn’t become a generational one (as Donald says), but because his inclusion is basically unprecedented. Aberg is the first player in history to make a Ryder Cup team without playing in a major, and no player in the modern era has made the team so soon after turning pro. Not Rory McIlroy, or Jon Rahm, or Sergio Garcia, or Nick Faldo, or any other European Ryder Cup greats. —Luke Kerr-Dineen

Biggest snub?

Adrian Meronk, obviously. What looked like a very complicated European picture clarified over the last couple weeks, to the point there were really only 13 players Luke Donald could have taken. Meronk was No. 13, and I don’t think he deserved to be. For all the talk of an “old boys club” on the U.S. side, I can’t think of a better way to describe the selection of Shane Lowry, who doesn’t have either the recent form or the Ryder Cup pedigree (1-2 in his lone appearance) to make him an obvious pick over Meronk, who won three times this season—including at the host course!!!—and was better than Lowry in the second half of the summer. —Shane Ryan

Meronk is the player with the biggest, most legitimate gripe. He currently sits third on the Race to Dubai, and is the Australian Open, Irish Open and Italian Open champion. And the last of those titles was won on the Marco Simone course that will host the Ryder Cup later this month. Then there is Meronk’s style of play. The man makes birdies for fun. By way of recent example, he made 20, plus one eagle, in the European Masters that concluded just yesterday. And his overall form this year has been excellent. Other than his victories, he has four other top-10s and three more finishes between 10th and 20th. Based on Donald’s repeated public assertions that he would select “in-form” players, the Englishman has let down Meronk. —J.H.

Octavio Passos

Meronk is the obvious one. But a quick word of respect for Victor Perez. Perez is out of form, which ultimately cost him. But three career DP World Tour wins and fourth in the Race to Dubai is an impressive track record for a player who is still young. Hopefully we’ll see him on Team Europe in the future. —L.K.D.

Meronk. The others all noted he won at the Ryder Cup site earlier this year and has been playing well since spring. Conversely, he’s in that purgatory where he’s too old to be young (Hojgaard, Aberg) and too young to be considered part of the old guard (Rose, Lowry). By not grabbing the final DP World Tour points spot, Meronk left himself vulnerable to politics. —J.B.

Pick that might haunt Donald?

Shane Lowry. As I said regarding Meronk’s non-selection, Donald asserted more than once that form would be a big factor in his thinking when it came to captain’s picks. On that basis, Lowry has no business making a second appearance in the Ryder Cup. His only solid performances this year are in the Masters (T-16), the PGA (T-12) and the U.S. Open (T-20). It’s is possible to build a case, then, for his inclusion around some sort of “he’s the man for the big occasion” theory. For me though, and as much as I am an unashamed Lowry fan, his selection represents a huge risk. If he arrives in Italy playing the same as he has done for most of this year, he is going to be not much more than a passenger Europe can ill afford. —J.H.

Warren Little

Probably Hojgaard, though had Donald picked Meronk, then that pick would have been questioned just as much. It’s likely Hojgaard won’t see much action—one team match and singles. —Dave Shedloski

Sepp Straka doesn’t get the respect he deserves from European fans because of how much golf he’s played in the U.S. over his career. As a fellow transatlatic talent person, I’ve always had a soft spot for Straka, a player who is only getting better. He belongs on this team, and the ones he’ll be on in the future. But unfairly or not, rookie/captain’s picks always come into the event with a sharper focus on them. If Straka doesn’t grab a few points, I could see some wondering if Donald didn’t scrutinize Straka enough. —L.K.D.

I’m one of those people who believes even if Justin Thomas goes 0-5 in Rome, it was the correct move to pick him based on his 16-5-3 record in team match play. But Donald’s selection of Lowry doesn’t hit the quite the same for me. Again, the man is 1-2 in his lone appearance, in iffy form—he didn’t even play the last European event—and if he lays an egg in Rome, I think Donald should be in for some deserved second-guessing. —S.R.

Overall impression of the European team?

As a thought experiment this roster is alluring, almost a perfect alchemy of youth and experience, of firepower and fortitude. The Hojgaard and Aberg picks are as exciting as captain’s selections can be. Winning the press conference does not guarantee winning the match, and the Euro team still lacks the depth of their American counterparts. Still, Donald’s club will be a formidable unit, one more than capable of winning back the Ryder Cup. —J.B.

This team has a really nice balance between truly elite players (Rahm, McIlroy, Hovland), a core with experience (Fitzpatrick, Fleetwood, Lowry, Hatton, Rose) and young talent with potential to grow with the team (Straka, Aberg, Hojgaard, Macintyre). Yes, as one of Golf Digest’s resident Europeans, I’m biased. But if you’re a fan of Team Europe, you should be pleased with how this team came together. Forza! —L.K.D.

Stuart Franklin

Beyond the very slight Lowry-over-Meronk controversy, Donald has to be feeling pretty great about his team. Hovland is the hottest player in the world, Rahm is a killer and the entire top half of the team seems to be in great form. The question marks were always going to be near the bottom, but the addition of recent winner Aberg feels massive, and smart, and when you combine all that with the fact that they’re playing at home, this team looks really, really good. The panic that came with the LIV defections can safely be stowed; Europe is ready. —S.R.

Donald has done a commendable job in assembling a decent team given the challenges of this era. It’s top-heavy, reminiscent of some American squads led by Tiger and Phil and some very good players. That could be a problem. That said, Europe’s players have a way of congealing when they are defending home turf. A lot will be on the shoulders of Rahm, McIlroy and Hovland, three of the top four players in the world, but if they gut up and get assists from Fitzpatrick and captain’s picks Fleetwood, Lowry and Rose, another U.S. setback abroad is in the cards. Oh, and let’s not discount the smackdown Europe received at Whistling Straits as a motivator. —D.S.

Whether it turns out to be a good or a bad thing remains to be seen, but this European team reminds me of the sides that turned the Ryder Cup tide back in the 1980s. Four decades ago captain Tony Jacklin built a winning formula around a group of truly world-class players like Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, Bernhard Langer and Ian Woosnam backed up by guys like Howard Clark, Mark James, Sam Torrance and Ken Brown, all one notch below that level. I see what Donald has available in a similar light. in fact, he might be in even better shape. Where Jacklin originally had five superstars, then two more in Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal, maybe half of Donald’s side are similarly transcendent talents. —J.H.

The post Did Luke Donald get it right with his 2023 European Ryder Cup team? Our writers explore surprises, snubs and any lingering questions appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald made his six captain’s picks on Monday to solidify his squad that will join US captain Zach Johnson’s American team in Rome later this month. The 44th playing of Ryder Cup will be played from September 29-October 1 at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

Donald added Ludvig Aberg, Tommy Fleetwood, Nicolai Højgaard, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose and Sepp Straka to the six who had already automatically qualified — Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Robert MacIntyre, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick.

For the US squad, Johnson selected Sam Burns, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas as his captain’s picks last week after the Tour Championship. Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, Xander Schauffele, Brian Harman and Wyndham Clark were automatic qualifiers.

So, with the 24-men now finalised, we thought we’d dig into some of the numbers and, in boxing terms, come up with a tale of the tape, comparing both squads. Keep in mind that the US are the defending champions and have won two of the last three Ryder Cups, but Europe have won seven of the last 10. The US hasn’t won in Europe in 30 years.

Here are the goods …

United States

Sam Burns
Age: 27
World Rank: 20
Ryder Cup Record: Rookie

Patrick Cantlay
Age: 31
World Rank: 5
Ryder Cup Record: 3-0-1 (one appearance)

Wyndham Clark
Age: 29
World Rank: 10
Ryder Cup Record: rookie

Rickie Fowler
Age: 34
World Rank: 26
Ryder Cup Record: 3-7-5 (four appearances)

Brian Harman
Age: 36
World Rank: 9
Ryder Cup Record: rookie

Max Homa
Age: 32
World Rank: 7
Ryder Cup Record: rookie

Brooks Koepka
Age: 33
World Rank: 15
Ryder Cup Record: 6-5-1 (three appearances)

Collin Morikawa
Age: 26
World Rank: 19
Ryder Cup Record: 3-0-1 (one appearance)

Xander Schauffele
Age: 29
World Rank: 6
Ryder Cup Record: 3-1-0 (one appearance)

Scottie Scheffler
Age: 27
World Rank: 1
Ryder Cup Record: 2-0-1 (one appearance)

Jordan Spieth
Age: 30
World Rank: 12
Ryder Cup Record: 8-7-3 (four appearances)

Justin Thomas
Age: 30
World Rank: 25
Ryder Cup Record: 6-2-1 (two appearances)

Europe

Stuart Franklin

Ludvig Aberg
Age: 23
World Rank: 90
Ryder Cup Record: rookie

Matt Fitzpatrick
Age: 29
World Rank: 8
Ryder Cup Record: 0-5-0 (two appearances)

Tommy Fleetwood
Age: 32
World Rank: 14
Ryder Cup Record: 4-2-2 (two appearances)

Tyrrell Hatton
Age: 31
World Rank: 13
Ryder Cup Record: 2-4-1 (two appearances)

Nicolai Højgaard
Age: 22
World Rank: 78
Ryder Cup Record: rookie

Viktor Hovland
Age: 25
World Rank: 4
Ryder Cup Record: 0-3-2 (one appearance)

Shane Lowry
Age: 36
World Rank: 37
Ryder Cup Record: 1-2-0 (one appearance)

Robert MacIntyre
Age: 27
World Rank: 54
Ryder Cup Record: rookie

Rory McIlroy
Age: 34
World Rank: 2
Ryder Cup Record: 12-12-4 (six appearances)

Jon Rahm
Age: 28
World Rank: 3
Ryder Cup Record: 4-3-1 (two appearances)

Justin Rose
Age: 43
World Rank: 34
Ryder Cup Record: 13-8-2 (five appearances)

Sepp Straka
Age: 30
Ryder Cup Record: rookie

Totals

Andrew Redington

United States
Average Age: 30.33
Average World Rank: 12.916
Total Ryder Cups Played: 17
Combined Ryder Cup Record: 34-22-13
Majors Won: 15

Europe
Average Age: 30
Average World Rank: 30
Total Ryder Cups Played: 21
Combined Ryder Cup Record: 36-39-12
Majors Won: 9

The post Ryder Cup tale of the tape: Comparing the European and American squads appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Fitzpatrick qualified alongside Hatton and Hovland on the World Points List following his tied third finish in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland. The 2022 U.S. Open champion will play in the Ryder Cup for the third time at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, from September 29 – October 1, 2023, adding a home appearance to his previous outings in the United States in 2016 and 2021.

Scotsman MacIntyre will make his debut in the biennial contest, qualifying via the European Points List alongside McIlroy and Rahm. He will tee it up at Marco Simone as part of Team Europe one year on from securing his second DP World Tour title at the Rome venue.

Captain Donald said: “There are many major milestones in every Ryder Cup journey but there is no question that finalising the automatic qualifiers for Team Europe is most definitely one of them.

“These six players have been standout performers throughout the qualification period and I am delighted to welcome each and every one of them officially to the 2023 team.”

McIlroy and Rahm were the first players to book their places for the first Ryder Cup to be played in Italy, with four-time Major winner and World Number Two McIlroy arriving for his seventh consecutive Ryder Cup appearance as the most experienced of the European qualifiers.

The Northern Irishman has been part of every edition of golf’s greatest team contest since his debut in 2010 – and has been on the winning side four times – wrapping up his latest appearance with the help of Rolex Series victories in Dubai and Scotland.

World Number Three Rahm is set to make his third appearance for Team Europe at Marco Simone, in the year in which he secured his second Major victory at Augusta National in April.

The Spaniard was part of Thomas Bjørn’s victorious team at Le Golf National in 2018, and produced a standout performance for Europe in Whistling Straits three years later, contributing 3.5 points from five matches.

FedEx Cup Champion Hovland was the next to secure his place in Captain Donald’s side, and the 25-year-old is set for a home appearance after making history as the first Norwegian to play in the Ryder Cup two years ago.

Hatton became the final player to wrap up a spot before this week’s final qualification event in Switzerland. The Englishman will make his third successive appearance and will be aiming for a second victory on home soil after making his debut in Paris in 2018.

Donald will complete his 12-player team when he announces his six Captain’s Picks at 2pm (BST) on Monday September 4.

The Captain’s Picks Show will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, Golf Channel in the US and on Ryder Cup Europe’s platforms worldwide.

The post Matt Fitzpatrick and Robert MacIntyre complete six automatic Team Europe qualifiers appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.