An experienced European squad, featuring 11 of the 12 players who triumphed in Rome in 2023, will be ready for the hostile atmosphere of Bethpage Black in next week’s Ryder Cup, according to captain Luke Donald.
The only change from that winning side is Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard, who replaces his twin brother Nicolai for the biennial showdown against the United States.
“You want to embrace what a Ryder Cup represents and part of that is embracing the crowd and atmosphere. These guys will be ready for that,” Donald said. “If you’re prepared, you understand what’s coming. It’s our reaction to that which is really important.
“We all have fears and anxieties and we all find Ryder Cups pressurised, but these are top athletes who know how to walk towards that fear.”
Leading the European charge is Masters champion Rory McIlroy, whose dramatic playoff victory over Justin Rose at Augusta completed the career Grand Slam. The five-time major winner knows what awaits.
“We know how difficult it’s going to be,” McIlroy said. “We have a massive opportunity to do something not many Ryder Cup teams have done. I’ve been lucky enough to win away once before, so we know what it takes.”
Other automatic qualifiers include England’s Tommy Fleetwood, who claimed his first PGA Tour victory at last month’s Tour Championship, US Open runner-up Robert MacIntyre, Rose, Rasmus Hojgaard and Tyrrell Hatton.
Donald’s six captain’s picks were Viktor Hovland, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Aberg, Shane Lowry, Matt Fitzpatrick and Jon Rahm – the LIV Golf season champion and two-time major winner from Spain.
“I think we’re strong enough to face what we’re going to face at Bethpage and hopefully end up with the Cup,” Rahm said.
Donald has even factored in the presence of US President Donald Trump, who is expected at the first tee on Friday, and gave his players virtual reality sessions to simulate crowd noise.
“As long as you’re prepared for a bit of stick from the fans, that’s OK,” Donald said. “It helps that we have experience in the team room with players who have dealt with it before.”
Europe already held two days of practice at Bethpage after the BMW PGA Championship, with McIlroy adding: “We’re definitely getting into Ryder Cup mode. We’re all very excited.”
England’s Fleetwood believes the team’s chemistry and familiarity will be key in the search for Europe’s first away win since the “Miracle at Medinah” in 2012.
“To have us all together with that connection and experience will hopefully serve as an advantage,” he said.
Donald added: “I’m excited about the continuity. Having a team so similar to Rome is a massive benefit. A lot of my thinking revolves around crowd management and how we react as a team.”
Photo:Andrew Redington/Getty Images
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