Five Players Team Europe Should Consider for 2025 Ryder Cup Captain’s Picks

As the countdown to the 2025 Ryder Cup intensifies, Team Europe faces a pivotal moment in shaping a roster capable of defending its crown. Under the guidance of their captain, Luke Donald, the challenge lies not just in selecting the top performers from the European and World points lists but in crafting a team with the perfect balance of chemistry, character, and competitive fire. With trusted veterans still delivering and an exciting new wave of talent emerging across the continent, Donald’s captain’s picks will play a critical role in defining Europe’s identity for this year’s matches and perhaps for years to come. With the Americans assembling a formidable squad of their own, every selection will matter as Europe looks to maintain its edge in one of golf’s greatest rivalries. The pressure is building, but so too is the anticipation, as Donald weighs his options and prepares to finalize a team that can meet the moment on the game’s grandest stage.

As of May 7th, 2025, the Top 15 players in the European Ryder Cup Points Rankings are:

The Top Six Automatically Qualify

1. Rory McIlroy – 2882.70 pts

2. Rasmus Højgaard – 992.43 pts

3. Tyrrell Hatton – 990.55 pts

4. Justin Rose – 870.04 pts

5. Shane Lowry – 863.18 pts

6. Ludvig Åberg – 810.45 pts

7. Tommy Fleetwood – 687.00 pts

8. Thomas Detry – 624.57 pts

9. Matt Wallace – 571.52 pts

10. Niklas Norgaard – 569.43 pts

11. Laurie Canter – 520.62 pts

12. Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen – 502.20 pts

13. Viktor Hovland – 485.51 pts

14. Thorbjorn Olsen – 478.94

15. Robert MacIntyre – 471.35 pts

With these rankings in mind, here are five players making a compelling case for a captain's pick.

Tommy Fleetwood – The Emotional Engine of Team Europe

Tommy Fleetwood has long been one of the hearts and souls of European Ryder Cup teams, and his 2025 season only strengthens his claim to a captain’s pick. Currently seventh in the points list, Fleetwood has shown steady form this year, delivering a string of top-20 finishes and contending at key events. More importantly, his Ryder Cup legacy speaks volumes. From his electric partnership with Francesco Molinari in 2018 to his passionate performance that inspired teammates in 2023. Fleetwood’s ability to thrive in match-play formats, where emotion and momentum rule, makes him an invaluable asset. His blend of leadership, shot-making flair, and locker room presence ensures that Europe’s team spirit remains high, and leaving him off the squad would feel unthinkable.

Thomas Detry – The Quiet Force Ready to Make Noise

Sitting eighth in the rankings, Thomas Detry is quietly assembling one of his best seasons to date, and his consistency has made him impossible to ignore in Ryder Cup conversations. The Belgian has racked up multiple top-10 finishes and a win in 2025, showcasing his steady ball-striking and improving short game. Detry brings a calm, unflappable demeanor that could be a perfect counterbalance to some of Europe’s more fiery personalities in team rooms and on the course. With his precise tee-to-green play and versatility, he fits the mold of past successful European Ryder Cuppers who quietly rack up points. Adding Detry would also signal that Europe is ready to reward emerging talents who’ve put in the work and risen steadily through the ranks.

Viktor Hovland – The Star Ready to Reignite

Though currently sitting 13th in the European points list, Viktor Hovland remains one of Europe’s brightest stars and a near-lock for a captain’s pick. After a slower start to 2025, Hovland appears to be rounding into form, and his record in previous team competitions makes him a dangerous match-play opponent. Remember, this is the same player who shone brightly at the 2023 Ryder Cup, showing fire, resilience, and clutch short game abilities under pressure. Nicknamed “The Smiling Assassin,” Hovland’s cheerful exterior belies his killer instinct when the stakes are highest. Europe’s lineup is simply stronger with Hovland in it, and giving him the nod would inject both proven quality and youthful energy into the squad.

Jon Rahm – The Emotional Leader Europe Can Rally Behind

Despite being outside the automatic qualifying bubble right now, Jon Rahm’s credentials as a player and Ryder Cup warrior are beyond question. Rahm has already cemented himself as one of the heartbeats of Europe’s modern team, leading by example with fiery performances and emotionally charged displays. At the 2023 Ryder Cup, his role as an on-course leader was evident, inspiring teammates and delivering crucial points when they mattered most. Rahm’s world-class talent combined with his raw passion make him the spiritual successor to past Spanish legends like Seve Ballesteros and Sergio Garcia. Any Ryder Cup team aiming to lift the trophy needs a talisman, and Rahm’s inclusion would ensure Europe has the emotional and competitive firepower to take on the Americans.

Sepp Straka – The Emerging Powerhouse with Momentum

Sepp Straka has been quietly building one of the most compelling cases for a Ryder Cup debut, sitting just outside the top 10 at 20th in overall points. The Austrian’s 2025 season has featured strong finishes, including one win, and a noticeable uptick in consistency, particularly in big events where he’s stood toe-to-toe with elite fields. Straka’s powerful ball-striking and clutch putting would translate well to match play, and his calm but competitive nature makes him a prime candidate for partnership roles. Europe’s future success will depend on broadening its base beyond traditional stars, and Straka represents that next wave of continental European talent. Bringing him into the Ryder Cup fold this year would not only reward his form but also help establish a new core for future European teams.

Final Thoughts

As Europe looks to lock in its squad for the 2025 Ryder Cup, the blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars will be key to their success. Players like Fleetwood and Rahm bring the experience, passion, and leadership that have defined Europe’s past triumphs, while talents such as Detry, Hovland, and Straka represent the future that’s already knocking at the door. With the Americans assembling a deep and dangerous team of their own, Europe’s captain will need to think beyond just points rankings and look at chemistry, momentum, and match-play prowess. These five players check all those boxes and more, offering a balance of firepower, finesse, and heart that every Ryder Cup team craves. If Europe hopes to keep the Cup and extend its reign, these names should be at the very top of the captain's list when final selections are made.