LUKE DONALD has named his captain’s picks for the Ryder Cup – with just one initial changed from Europe’s successful 2023 team.
Donald, 47, stayed on as skipper after leading his team to an emphatic victory in Rome in 2023, winning 16½-11½.
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Six players confirmed their spot in the 12-man team for Bethpage Black from September 26-28 by qualifying automatically through their points won during the season.
They are Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Hojgaard and Tyrrell Hatton.
And on Monday, Donald announced his six picks to complete the team.
The former world No1 opted for Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick.
All six were part of the successful squad two years ago.
It means the only change to the team from Rome is rookie Hojgaard, who replaces his twin brother Nicolai.
That is the fewest changes to a European team in Ryder Cup history – dating back to the format change in 1979.
Donald said on Sky Sports: “There is a lot of continuity from Rome, that is a bit unusual, but shows how good they are.
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“But while there is continuity, this is a different animal to play away in America. We know how difficult it is.
“I have looked at lots of different angles to try to prepare us for the challenge ahead.
“It is about implementing new techniques. I am aware we have lost three of the past four away Ryder Cups by significant margins.
“I have tried everything I can to give my team the best opportunity.”
The top 11 in the European points list got the nod – either through automatic qualification or captain’s picks.
Rahm was down in 24th because he plays most of his golf with LIV but brings a wealth of experience with three Ryder Cup appearances and two Major wins.
Matt Wallace broke down in tears on Sunday as he appeared to confirm he had missed out on the team, despite finishing 12th on the points list.
Marco Penge (14th) and Harry Hall (17th) were also late considerations but Donald stuck with his winning formula.
He added: “The last two weeks are the most difficult part of a captain’s job.
“There are people who are jockeying for position and people who feel like they might have done enough, but then get a call to say they are not in the team and that is tough.”
USA skipper Keegan Bradley resisted the urge to pick himself as the first player-captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963 as he opted for four men below him in the world rankings.
Europe have not won on American soil since the ‘Miracle of Medinah’ in 2012 when they came from 10-6 down going into the final-day singles to win 14½-13½.
And their last visit Stateside was a harrowing, embarrassing 19-9 thumping defeat at Whistling Straits.
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