Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry are Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup captaincy picks, while Justin Rose makes his first return to Team Europe in five years… and Swedish prodigy Ludvig Aberg is called up just THREE months into his professional career
Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry are Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup captaincy picks, while Justin Rose makes his first return to Team Europe in five years… and Swedish prodigy Ludvig Aberg is called up just THREE months into his professional career
- Tommy Fleetwood will be taking part in the Ryder Cup for the third time this year
- Justin Rose returns to the team after his absence in 2021
- Team Europe and Team USA meet in Rome later this month
Luke Donald will be banking on youth for the Ryder Cup after calling up Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg to his European team for the game against USA later this month in Rome.
The 23-year-old, who only turned professional in June and has never competed in a major, was one of Donald’s six wildcards announced Monday, along with Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka and Nicolai Hojgaard.
They join the 12-man squad with automatically qualified players Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick and Robert MacIntyre.
Aberg’s rise followed an exceptional break through the paid ranks, culminating in him winning the Omega European Masters in his ninth start on Sunday.
While his successful pursuit of Fitzpatrick in Switzerland has shown his temper, it is his technical expertise that makes him such an exciting venture.
Tommy Fleetwood will compete in his third Ryder Cup later this month in Rome
Luke Donald has selected two debutants for the Ryder Cup in his six Captain’s Picks
The former amateur world No. 1 has a game from tee to green that perfectly suits the tight fairways of Marco Simone Platz – a quality that has been highlighted several times by veteran team members in recent months.
Donald said, “We knew what he was doing in the college scene for four years.” It’s comparable to what Hovland and Rahm were doing. I played with him in Detroit and was blown away. For someone so inexperienced, it’s so impressive.”
Aberg said, “It’s been quite busy in the last few months, but it’s exciting.” I can’t wait.
“If you had told me a few months ago that I would be in these talks, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.”
His selection clearly represents a risk but Adrian Meronk’s departure will raise eyebrows in European circles.
Another gifted ball driver, the 30-year-old Pole had long been Donald’s sights and his claim was bolstered by a win at the Italian Open at Marco Simone in May.
However, Donald has instead opted for 22-year-old Hojgaard, who is one of four rookies in the 12 along with Open runners-up Straka, MacIntyre and Aberg.
Two-time DP World Tour champion and former winner at Marco Simone in 2021, Hojgaard secured the spot after finishing fifth in Switzerland.
Justin Rose returns to Team Europe after missing Whistling Straits in 2021
Fleetwood (second right) and Rose (right) were part of the team that last won the Ryder Cup in Paris 2018
Ludvig Aberg was called up to the European Ryder Cup team despite not turning professional until June
Donald said, “He’s a young superstar with the world at his feet.” We’ve already seen what he achieved at a young age. I wanted form players.’
Hojgaard said: “It feels great.” It’s hard to put into words at the moment.
“When Luke called me yesterday I was a bit disappointed after my destination in Switzerland, but it made my evening.” It feels great to be part of the team.
“I get nervous just thinking about it, but I can’t wait to get to the first tee.”