2025 European Ryder Cup team: The 9 most surprising exclusions

On September 1, 2025, European captain Luke Donald officially unveiled his 12-man squad for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black (26–28 September). Five of the six captain’s picks mirrored the core of the triumphant 2023 Rome team, with only one significant change: Rasmus Højgaard stepped in for his twin brother Nicolai.

While the selections highlight continuity and experience, several notable players with strong seasons were left on the outside looking in. This article provides an in-depth breakdown of who those snubs were, why they were omitted, how the captain’s pick process works, and which golfers might feature in future Ryder Cups.

Who Were the Biggest Snubs?

Donald’s six captain’s picks were Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Åberg, and Matt Fitzpatrick. These joined six automatic qualifiers: Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Højgaard, and Tyrrell Hatton

Here are the nine “bubble players” who just missed out:

1. Matt Wallace (12th in Ryder Cup standings)

* Why he was a snub: Highest-ranked player not selected, visibly emotional after being asked about his Ryder Cup hopes at the Omega European Masters.

*Why he missed out: No wins in 2025, never played a Ryder Cup, and ranked 115th on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee.

*Reaction: Wallace publicly congratulated the chosen team and wished them well despite the disappointment.

2. Thomas Detry (13th)

* Why he was a snub: Winner of the WM Phoenix Open and five additional Top-25s this season.

* Why he missed out: All results came before June; never played in the Ryder Cup; ranked between 99th–123rd in key Strokes Gained categories.

3. Marco Penge (14th)

* Why he was a snub: Two DP World Tour victories and runner-up at the Genesis Scottish Open. Ranked 8th in driving distance.

* Why he missed out: Lack of experience; first career wins came this year, and he has played only four majors.

4. Aaron Rai (15th)

* Why he was a snub: Ten Top-25s in 2025, winner of the 2024 Wyndham Championship.

* Why he missed out: No wins this year, debutant status, and 120th in Putting on the PGA Tour.

5. Jordan Smith (16th)

* Why he was a snub: Made the cut in two majors, had two runner-up finishes on the DP World Tour.

* Why he missed out: No wins since 2022, no Ryder Cup experience.

6. Harry Hall (17th)

* Why he was a snub: Fifteen Top-25 finishes, qualified for the Tour Championship, no missed cuts since the Players Championship. Ranked 5th in Total Strokes Gained and 2nd in Putting.

* Why he missed out: Zero Ryder Cup experience and weaknesses in Off the Tee (112th) and Approach (101st).

7. Nicolai Højgaard (18th)

* Why he was a snub: Part of the 2023 team; his twin Rasmus made this year’s roster. Strong showings at the British Masters and Zurich Classic (runner-up).

* Why he missed out: No wins since 2023 and poor Around the Green stats (146th).

8. Alex Noren (26th)

* Why he was a snub: Former Ryder Cup player (2018), winner of the 2025 Betfred British Masters, and in contention at this year’s PGA Championship.

* Why he missed out: Negative strokes gained Off the Tee and on Approach, plus never a PGA Tour winner.

9. Sergio García (140th)

* Why he was a snub: All-time Ryder Cup points leader, winner of LIV Golf Hong Kong this season.

* Why he missed out: Poor major record (best finish T-34 at The Open) and just one Top-10 across eight LIV events.

Why Did They Miss Out? Key Takeaways

 

How Do Captain’s Picks Work?

The European Ryder Cup system awards six automatic spots to the top point earners. The captain then has discretion over six captain’s picks, typically weighing:

* Recent form and results

* Ryder Cup experience

* Team chemistry and partnerships

* Key statistical strengths

* Leadership qualities

For 2025, the points system emphasised majors and high-tier tournaments. Donald leaned toward experience, continuity, and proven performers, essentially replicating the 2023 winning side with one swap.

Wallace vs. Lowry: The Big Comparison

The most debated decision was between Matt Wallace and Shane Lowry.

* Wallace: Better points ranking (12th vs. outside auto spots), but lacked wins and consistency.

* Lowry: Lower points standing but brings major champion pedigree, veteran leadership, and chemistry with core team members.

Controversy also arose from the Tour Championship’s lack of Ryder Cup points, which some argue penalised players like Lowry. In the end, Donald valued Lowry’s experience in high-pressure Ryder Cup environments.

The LIV Golf Factor

Two LIV-affiliated stars, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, were comfortably selected due to their world-class form and Ryder Cup pedigree. In contrast, Sergio García’s LIV résumé wasn’t strong enough. His exclusion reflects both performance decline and a shift toward younger European options.

Fan and Media Reactions

* Harry Hall’s omission was seen as the biggest surprise, given his elite putting and statistical profile. Golf Monthly noted that his exclusion raises questions about Donald’s emphasis on experience over form.

* Wallace’s emotional response captured fans’ sympathy, highlighting how much the Ryder Cup means to European players.

* Social media chatter suggests mixed feelings: some applaud Donald’s loyalty to veterans, while others argue he overlooked emerging talent.

Looking Ahead to 2027

Several of the snubbed names could be strong candidates in 2027:

* Matt Wallace: With a breakthrough win, his passion and determination could make him irresistible.

* Harry Hall: Elite putting is invaluable in match play; more experience could make him a lock.

* Marco Penge: If he sustains his winning form, his power game could shine.

* Thomas Detry / Aaron Rai: Consistency and improved stats could push them over the edge.

* Jordan Smith / Nicolai Højgaard: Both remain on the cusp with potential Ryder Cup futures.

* Alex Noren: Age is a factor, but his resurgence in 2025 shows he can still compete.

* Sergio García: Unless he rediscovers major form, 2025 may have been his last Ryder Cup chance.

 

To sum up: Luke Donald’s 2025 Ryder Cup team selection demonstrates a clear preference for experience, chemistry, and proven performers. While young and in-form players like Harry Hall and Marco Penge made strong cases, Donald ultimately stayed loyal to the core of his 2023 winners.

The snubs highlight the depth of European golf, where even multiple winners and elite performers couldn’t force their way in. For fans, debates over Wallace, García, and Hall will continue well into Bethpage week — and perhaps shape the narrative as Europe looks ahead to 2027.