Ryder Cup's European squad welcomes Jon Rahm as a new member
The Ryder Cup, one of the most prestigious events in golf, returns to the United States for its 45th edition from September 26 to 28, and the European team has been announced.
Twelve golfers will represent Europe at Bethpage Black, New York, including some familiar faces and a few newcomers. Among the returning players are Ludvig Aberg, Matt Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, and Sepp Straka.
Shane Lowry and Viktor Hovland will compete in their second and third consecutive Ryder Cups, respectively. Notably, Jon Rahm will participate in his fourth Ryder Cup, having made his debut in Paris in 2018.
Luke Donald, the captain of the European team, has approached this Ryder Cup with a different strategy compared to his previous one. The team consists of six golfers who secured their spot through ranking, and five, including Aberg, Fitzpatrick, Hovland, Rahm, and Straka, were selected by Donald himself.
Rasmus Hojgaard is the only new golfer on the team, replacing his twin brother Nicolai. Hojgaard, who has yet to make his Ryder Cup debut, will be eager to prove himself alongside the seasoned professionals.
Matt Fitzpatrick has previously played in the Ryder Cup in 2016, 2021, and is set to compete again in 2023. The English golfer will bring valuable experience to the team, having also won the US Open in 2022.
The European team also includes Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Rose. McIlroy, a four-time major champion, will be hoping to help Europe secure victory in the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2018.
The Ryder Cup will return to Spain for the first time in 34 years, but this year's competition will be held in New York. Eleven of the 12 golfers who won the Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone (Italy) two years ago have been kept on the team, demonstrating the faith in the successful combination.
As the countdown to the Ryder Cup begins, golf fans around the world eagerly await the clash between Europe and the United States at Bethpage Black. The European team, led by captain Luke Donald, is ready to defend their title and bring the trophy home once again.
