Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE: Ludvig Aberg announced as one of six wildcard picks for Team Europe

With the Ryder Cup fast approaching later this month, Luke Donald has today announced his captain’s picks and the final six members of the European team that will take on Team USA in Rome. The US thrashed Europe when they last met at Whistling Straits in 2021, but the Americans have not won away from home since 1993 and a much-improved European team will hope to maintain that record.

Donald has chosen Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Justin Rose alongside rookies Sepp Straka, Ludvig Aberg and Nicolai Hojgaard, with Adrian Meronk just misssing out. They join the six automatically qualified players: Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tyrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick and Robert MacIntyre.

Team USA was confirmed last week with Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas and Sam Burns selected as captain’s picks to join automatic qualifiers Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Xander Schauffele

Follow the latest updates from the Ryder Cup announcement below:

TEAM EUROPE WILDCARD PICKS LATEST

• Luke Donald has confirmed his final six members of Team Europe

• McIlroy, Rahm, Hovland, Hatton, Fitzpatrick and MacIntyre already confirmed

• Tommy Fleetwood picked with Englishman set to make third Ryder Cup appearance

• Sepp Straka selected for maiden Ryder Cup after impressive season on PGA Tour

• Justin Rose picked for sixth Ryder Cup as veteran rewarded for turning around form

• Shane Lowry set to make second Ryder Cup appearance after debuting in 2021

• Nicolai Hojgaard set for Ryder Cup debut after superb recent form

• Ludvig Aberg secures final spot having won last weekend; Swede only turned pro in June

Luke Donald ‘blown away’ by Ludvig Aberg as Swede handed Ryder Cup wild card

15:03 , Ben Fleming

Europe captain Luke Donald admitted he had been “blown away” by the ability of Ludvig Aberg after handing the rising star one of his six wild cards for the 44th Ryder Cup in Rome.

Former world number one amateur Aberg only turned professional in June, but won the final qualifying event in Switzerland on Sunday with a final round of 64 at Crans-sur-Sierre.

The 23-year-old Swede has made the quickest transition from the amateur ranks to the Ryder Cup in the contest’s history, eclipsing the previous record set by Sergio Garcia, who made his debut in 1999 after turning professional following April’s Masters.

Aberg was selected along with Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose and Nicolai Hojgaard, with Poland’s Adrian Meronk missing out despite winning the Italian Open at the host venue in May.

Read more below:

Luke Donald ‘blown away’ by Ludvig Aberg as Swede handed Ryder Cup wild card

Until next time

15:34 , Ben Fleming

Thanks for joining us today for Luke Donald’s wildcard picks. We now know the makeup of both teams and the wait is on - just 25 days until the first tee shot at Marco Simone and the start of the Ryder Cup!

We’ll be back then to keep you up to date with every shot, every holed putt and every twist and turn.

See you then!

Final teams confirmed

15:20 , Ben Fleming

With Team Europe’s picks done, we have our two completed teams. They are as follows:

Europe: McIlroy, Rahm, Hovland, Hatton, Fitzpatrick, MacIntyre, Fleetwood, Straka, Rose, Lowry, Hojgaard, Aberg.

USA: Scheffler, Clark, Cantlay, Harman, Homa, Schauffele, Koepka, Spieth, Morikawa, Fowler, Thomas and Burns.

Despite America’s thumping victory last time out, it looks like we are set for a tight encounter this time around. America has the bigger names, but Europe has an exciting blend of in-form players and the crucial home advantage.

Tough to call.

Ryder Cup 2023: Meet Team Europe including Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and each wildcard pick

14:53 , Ben Fleming

The Ryder Cup 2023 is fast approaching with Luke Donald naming his six wildcard picks to complete his European team for Rome.

The United States are favourites to defend the trophy they claimed with a dominant victory at Whistling Straits in 2021.

But Team Europe, now led by Donald after the farcical departure of Henrik Stenson, having defected to LIV Golf, will hope to harness home advantage in Rome after their iconic win at Le Golf National in 2018.

Here, Independent Sport examines Donald’s 12 players from their style of play to experience and form:

Meet Europe’s Ryder Cup team including McIlroy and six wildard picks

Donald confirms Ryder Cup team

14:45 , Ben Fleming

Donald is asked about Viktor Hovland, the winner of the FedEx Cup and World No. 4.

“He’ll be an assassin,” Donald says. “You need your top players to win points and he is one of our top players of course. He was part of the losing team and understands the frustration of that. He like the other guys will want to avenge that.”

Donald confirms Ryder Cup team

14:41 , Ben Fleming

More from Luke on Aberg: “Ludvig is a generational player, he’ll be around a long time and do amazing things. If he didn’t make this one he’d be around for the next eight Ryder Cups, that’s how good I think he is.

“If you look at his stats this year, he’d be the No. 1 driver in the world ahead of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler - that’s pretty high standards.”

Donald confirms Ryder Cup team

14:40 , Ben Fleming

Adrian Meronk is the player who can probably count himself most unlucky. The Pole has been in the conversation all year for a place on the team having won the Italian Open at Marco Simone earlier in the year.

In the end, it looks like Donald has gone for the youth of Aberg and Hojgaard who have both enjoyed a stellar recent run of form.

Donald on those who just missed out

14:38 , Ben Fleming

“It’s extremely challenging, there was a number you could make an argument for that are not on that team. That’s part of the job, unfortunately, I know what it feels like and it’s gut-wrenching.

“I spoke to them all, they took it all well like the true gentlemen they are and they wished us good luck. They handled it with class.”

Confirmed Ryder Cup team

14:35 , Ben Fleming

So there we have it, Donald has made his picks and this is what Team Europe looks like:

Rory McIlroy

John Rahm

Viktor Hovland

Tyrrell Hatton

Matt Fitzpatrick

Robert MacIntyre

Tommy Fleetwood

Sep Straka

Justin Rose

Shane Lowry

Nicolai Hojgaard and

Ludvig Aberg

Luke Donald speaking on his twelve-man team

14:32 , Ben Fleming

“I’m very excited about the next few weeks. The plan is to put in a great plan of action for success, they know why they are going to win and the options I’ll give them to have the best opportunity to win.

“A mix of great talent, experience, rookies, it’s really a great makeup to the team and I couldn’t be happier.”

Donald on Aberg’s pick

14:30 , Ben Fleming

“We knew what he was doing in the college scene, what he did was only comparable with what Viktor Hovland and Jon Rahm did - he was that good. I played with him in Detroit and was blown away by his game.

“He finished fifth in the Czech and four birdies in the last five holes yesterday was like a walk in the park for him yesterday.”

Aberg speaking to Sky Sports

14:29 , Ben Fleming

“If you told me I’d be involved in these conversations I probably wouldn’t have believed you.”

Luke Donald announces six captain’s picks

14:29 , Ben Fleming

The final pick now for Team Europe...it’s Ludvig Aberg.

The Swedish sensation - fresh off his win at the European Masters yesterday - gets the nod over Adrian Meronk and will make his Ryder Cup debut having only turned professional in June! Remarkable.

Donald on Hojgaard’s pick

14:27 , Ben Fleming

“He’s a young superstar; the world is his oyster. Part of the reason for having six picks was I wanted some in-form players. What he did the last two weeks was very very special.”

Hojgaard speaking to Sky Sports

14:26 , Ben Fleming

“It’s hard to put into words. When Luke called me yesterday I had been frustrated with my finish and that call made my night. It’s been a goal of mine, to be on a team with guys I’ve watched my whole life.

“I almost get nervous now thinking about it! It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to. I can’t thank Luke enough and the team for putting trust in me.”

Luke Donald announces six captain’s picks

14:25 , Ben Fleming

With his penultimate pick...Nicolai Hojgaard is selected!

The Young Dane has had a superb run of late in the last fortnight and is set to make his Ryder Cup debut at Marco Simone.

Donald on Lowry’s pick

14:24 , Ben Fleming

“He’s a man for the big occasion and a great man in the team room,” Donald says of Lowry’s selection.

Lowry speaking to Sky Sports

14:23 , Ben Fleming

“I’m incredibly proud and grateful, I’m very excited for Rome. The last one hurt a bit, I’m excited for a home Ryder Cup and I’m grateful Luke has given me the opportunity to go and show what I can do again.

“A lot of my big goals this year were getting to Rome and trying to win that Ryder Cup back. Everything we do over the next few weeks will be put towards that and hopefully, we can win that cup back.”

Luke Donald announces six captain’s picks

14:22 , Ben Fleming

Fourth up for Donald, “a man for the big occasion,” according to Luke.

Step forward...Shane Lowry.

A quieter year for the Irishman but a win at the BMW Championship last year as well as a sturdy major season sees him on board the team for the second successive time.

Donald on Rose’s pick

14:20 , Ben Fleming

“You know what he has, he’s been there, he’s holed those putts, he’s delivered before. It’s great to see him play so well and it’s a really deserved pick.”

Rose speaking to Sky Sports

14:19 , Ben Fleming

“This has been a huge motivation for me. Number six makes it sound really smooth but missing out on the last one really hurt. My form wasn’t great but watching back those highlights makes you want to be back on that team.

“I’m coming at it with a slightly different angle this year [as the veteran] but delighted to be a part of the team and I appreciate Luke’s faith.

“I think winning as a team is the most fun thing you can experience. The Sunday nights when you have won the Ryder Cup are some of the most fun nights I’ve ever had in my life. I’m incredibly motivated.”

Luke Donald announces six captain’s picks

14:17 , Ben Fleming

Up third for Donald...Justin Rose!

A great year for the Englishman who returned to the winners’ circle with victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am earlier in the year. A veteran of this format, Rose will make his sixth appearance in the Ryder Cup.

Luke Donald on Straka’s selection

14:15 , Ben Fleming

“He was great in his commitment to play the Hero Cup earlier in the year. I saw how much he loved that team environment and really lapped it up. He’s been in great form of late, he’s had two strong years on the PGA Tour and I couldn’t leave him off.”

Straka speaking to Sky Sports

14:14 , Ben Fleming

“It was a definite goal to make this team but it always seemed so distant, so far away. I just knew I had to play some good golf. I showed some good form this summer and I’m honoured and really happy to be here.”

Luke Donald announces six captain’s picks

14:13 , Ben Fleming

Second up for Donald’s picks is Sepp Straka!

The big-hitting Austrian has won on the PGA Tour this year and performed impressively at The Open Championship in July. A Ryder Cup debut for the Austrian.

Luke Donald on Fleetwood’s pick

14:11 , Ben Fleming

“He’s a ball-striking machine. We’ve just seen that with some of his results in the US Open and the Open Championship.

“He’s the only man in the history of golf to have consumed more than two 63s in the final round of the US Open. We know his pedigree of golf, and obviously, he’s a very versatile player.”

Tommy Fleetwood speaking to Sky Sports

14:09 , Ben Fleming

“It’s a lifelong dream for any European or American to play the Ryder Cup and I’ve been lucky to play a couple but this one feels very special. I was one of the players stood on the last green in 2021 wanting the next opportunity to come as soon as possible where we could go and get this Ryder Cup back.

“For Luke to show his faith in me, I’m just really excited to get together with my team-mates now.”

Luke Donald announces six captain’s picks

14:06 , Ben Fleming

Unlike the US team, who announced them all at once, Donald will announce his one by one.

The first captain’s pick is... Tommy Fleetwood.

This one was a no-brainer after a superb year on the PGA Tour. The Englishman makes his third Ryder Cup appearance.

Luke Donald on stage now

14:04 , Ben Fleming

The European captain takes to the stage alongside Sky Sports’ Nick Dougherty.

“It’s been a fantastic 13 months, I’ve just tried to take it all in,” he says.

Europe announce team for 2023 Ryder Cup

13:59 , Ben Fleming

Final few moments now before Donald’s press conference begins. There are a few guaranteed picks for the Englishman but those final one or two could go either way.

No doubt, someone has been told some bitterly disappointing news last night or this morning.

Adrian Meronk on lessons from Tiger Woods and journey to the Ryder Cup

13:49 , Ben Fleming

Adrian Meronk could be one of the six captain’s picks heading to Rome in a couple of weeks time. The tall Pole has enjoyed a successful year on the DP World Tour with two wins, including the Italian Open which was held at Marco Simone - the sight of this year’s Ryder Cup.

Earlier in the year, The Independent’s Jack Rathborn caught up with the 30-year-old:

Europe’s breakout star on lessons from Tiger Woods and the Ryder Cup journey

US announce team for 2023 Ryder Cup

13:45 , Ben Fleming

And also a quick reminder of the US team, which was announced this time last week.

The automatic picks were: Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay, Brian Harman, Max Homa and Xander Schauffele

The six captain’s picks were: Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas and Sam Burns

Read more, including Zach Johnson’s rationale, below:

Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka and Sam Burns among USA’s six Ryder Cup wild cards

Europe announce team for 2023 Ryder Cup

13:40 , Ben Fleming

There are about twenty minutes until Luke Donald takes to the stage to announce his European Ryder Cup team. A quick reminder of the six that have already made it:

- Rory McIlroy

- Jon Rahm

- Victory Hovland

- Tyrrell Hatton

- Matt Fitzpatrick

- Robert MacIntyre

Europe announce team for 2023 Ryder Cup

13:34 , Ben Fleming

The captain’s ready to go:

Team Europe captain’s pick contenders - Alex Noren

13:30 , Ben Fleming

Making a maiden Ryder Cup appearance after finishing third in the world points list in 2018, Noren went 2-1-0. After missing Whistling Straits, Noren quietly put together a fine 2022, displaying immense character and trust in his game to leave Scotland days before The Open, despite being first alternate, before finishing second at the Barracuda.

Two more runner-up finishes at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and the DP World Tour Championship, mixed in with fourth at the Houston Open and fifth in Abu Dhabi and the Swede could be primed to bring a veteran presence to this year’s team. Noren lacks a big performance in the majors this year, but T9 at Rocket Mortgage Classic certainly helps.

Team Europe captain’s pick contenders - Victor Perez

13:25 , Ben Fleming

A classy golfer who has become a serial winner on the DP World Tour, Perez, based out of Dundee, could bring some continental European flavour to Donald’s team in Italy. His breakthrough came when triumphing at the 2019 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and it’s often the bigger events where he thrives, as shown by beating a stacked field to take the Abu Dhabi Championship earlier this year.

A pretty pedestrian record since a T12 at Oak Hill in the PGA Championship has slowed Perez’s momentum and the compelling early case he made for himself has become somewhat of a distant memory.

Team Europe captain’s pick contenders - Yannik Paul

13:20 , Ben Fleming

Capitalising on a fine run of form earlier this year, Yannik Paul gave himself a chance of nabbing the third spot on the European points behind McIlroy and Rahm, although he narrowly fell short to MacIntyre following the European Masters. The German enjoyed a solid year on the DP World Tour and fourth on the European points list is not to be sniffed at, but Paul may fall foul to poor recent form and a lack of big-tournament experience.

Team Europe captain’s pick contenders - Nicolai Hojgaard

13:15 , Ben Fleming

At just 22 years old, the Dane could provide a genuine youthful fearlessness in Rome and, importantly, is a superb driver of the ball. He has two wins on the DP World Tour, most notably at the 2021 Italian Open on the Marco Simone course where this Ryder Cup will be played – beating Tommy Fleetwood and future winner Adrian Meronk by a stroke.

When the pressure was on during the build-up to the Ryder Cup, he responded in style with a major-best finish of T23 at the Open, a T14 over the pond at the Wyndham Championship, solo 3rd at the Czech Masters and then put himself in contention heading into Sunday at the European Masters. T

hrow in the 3.5 points he won earlier this year at the Hero Cup (the matchplay event used as a Ryder Cup warm-up for Team Europe where GB&I took on Continental Europe) and the case is hugely compelling. He may unluckily be the final man off the list due to Ludvig Aberg’s emergence, however.

Team Europe captain’s pick contenders - Adrian Meronk

13:10 , Ben Fleming

If Donald wants a wildcard to rip it off the tee and provide an intriguing foil for a more accurate, shorter hitter in fourballs, then Adrian Meronk could be just the ticket. The Pole – who became the first man from his country to win on the DP World Tour with success at the Irish Open last July – finished second for strokes gained off the tee last season and has been around the top three once more.

A win at the Australian Open in December 2022 didn’t hurt but the real kicker came when he won the Italian Open this year on the course at which the Ryder Cup will be played. Comfort with the course may prove enough to earn him the call.

Team Europe captain’s pick contenders - Ludvig Aberg

13:05 , Ben Fleming

Where to start with the Swedish sensation? The 23-year-old stormed back in the Omega European Masters to chase down Matt Fitzpatrick with four successive birdies from holes 14-17, clinching his first professional win in just his ninth professional start.

No Ryder Cup experience, obviously, but the 23-year-old has played plenty of team golf in the junior ranks and has taken to professional golf in style with a series of impressively high finishes on the PGA Tour as a rookie.

His driving is exceptional, as shown by his leading of the strokes gained off the tee statistic for the entire PGA Tour since debuting and that is a perfect fit for a course where driving will be key. His profile and chances are both boosted by winning the European Masters at the weekend.

Team Europe captain’s pick contenders - Sepp Straka

13:00 , Ben Fleming

The Austrian put himself on the Ryder Cup radar last February with victory at The Honda Classic, edging out Shane Lowry for a maiden PGA Tour victory. There were also two play-off losses at the FedEx St Jude and Sanderson Farms Championships but when he went a little cold in mid-2023 to slip down the world points list, his Ryder Cup hopes looked to have gone.

However, two weeks of scintillating golf in July put him right back in the mix as he won the John Deere Classic for another PGA Tour victory and then produced a career-best major performance by far to work his way into a tie for second at the Open at Hoylake. He’s making himself tough for Donald to ignore.

Europe announce team for 2023 Ryder Cup

12:55 , Ben Fleming

If Fleetwood, Lowry and Rose do get captain’s picks as suspected, that leaves just three slots remaining. With Team Europe’s changing of the guard after 2021, there’s a host of new names in contention to make their Ryder Cup debut.

Let’s take a look at some of the other frontrunners for a captain’s pick...

Team Europe captain’s pick contenders - Justin Rose

12:50 , Ben Fleming

Moved up to a lock with T4 at the British Masters, the former Olympic champion’s choice to resist LIV Golf was rewarded on the PGA Tour with victory at Pebble Beach back in February, snapping a four-year drought. He backed that up with a T6 finish at TPC Sawgrass.

A stalwart of Team Europe across five appearances, totalling a 13-8-2 record, Rose has surely done enough now to snaffle a wildcard spot despite his form dipping in recent weeks and his experience will be invaluable.

Team Europe captain’s pick contenders - Shane Lowry

12:45 , Ben Fleming

If ever there was a man made for matchplay, it was Shane Lowry. The Irishman made no secret of his desperation to play at the Ryder Cup ahead of his 2021 debut and he possesses the competitive drive, capacity to step up at the highest-pressure moments and the ability to thrive in raucous atmospheres that could make him a titan of the event.

There’s more to come after picking up just a single point from three sessions at Whistling Straits and although he’s struggled to consistently recapture the brilliance that saw him win the Open at Portrush in 2019, performances such as finishing third at the Masters and winning the BMW PGA Championship last year demonstrate his capability to rise to the occasion. His form is a slight concern after a largely disappointing season in strokeplay events.

Team Europe captain’s pick contenders - Tommy Fleetwood

12:40 , Ben Fleming

The Moliwood bromance sadly won’t return on Francesco Molinari’s home turf – on the course at least, with Molinari selected as a non-playing vice-captain – but Fleetwood should be a key cog in Donald’s European machine. After going 4-1-0 in 2018, Fleetwood mustered just two halves in 2021 and sits overall at 4-2-2. Fleetwood has been in flying form since March, even if the wait for a first PGA Tour title goes on.

The Englishman is not just knocking on the door across the pond but absolutely hammering it, with a T3 at the Valspar, a T5 at Quail Hollow, a T3 at the FedEx St Jude Championship, a T6 at the season-ending Tour Championship and an agonising play-off defeat at the Canadian Open, where he could not have come closer to ending his drought.

A stellar major campaign also saw him follow a top 20 at the PGA Championship with a T5 at the US Open and a T10 at Royal Liverpool, where his charge for the Claret Jug fell away over the weekend. He is a man to be feared.

Europe announce team for 2023 Ryder Cup

12:35 , Ben Fleming

So those are the six automatic qualifiers. The task now for Luke Donald is to figure out which six other European golfers will be his captain’s picks. 2023 is the first Ryder Cup that Europe has given their captain six picks with Padraig Harrington afforded just three in 2021.

In theory, it allows for more flexibility and the captain to be able to put his stamp on the team but it must have caused Donald a few sleepless nights given the amount of contenders.

To start, let’s look at three names very likely to get on the team...

Team Europe automatic qualifiers - Robert MacIntyre

12:30 , Ben Fleming

Having finished third in the European points list, the Scot has secured his place at his first Ryder Cup later this month. MacIntyre’s most eye-catching performance came the week before the Open Championship at his home tournament - the Scottish Open. It was there that the 27-year-old delivered a stirring final-round performance to charge up the leaderboard. He was ultimately pipped to the post by McIlroy but the Scot demonstrated his ability to thrive under pressure.

His form on the DP World Tour has perhaps not been the most consistent when compared to his peers but, at his best, the left-hander can be a feisty and formidable member of the European locker room. Another positive will be his most recent Tour win which came at the 2022 Italian Open, played on the same course as this year’s Ryder Cup.

Team Europe automatic qualifiers - Matt Fitzpatrick

12:25 , Ben Fleming

Transformed into an intimidating force off the tee, ‘Fitzy’ now has an aura around him after his 2022 US Open victory. Yet to win a point on golf’s biggest team stage (0-5-0), this is almost the last piece of the puzzle to make Fitzpatrick a transcendent player in European golf. Forced to sit throughout the entire day’s play on Friday in 2018, there will surely be no shortage of opportunities here to further bolster his reputation.

While the driving has caught the eye in the last year or so, Fitzpatrick can be trusted to salvage a hole in matchplay based on his scrambling statistics, leading the PGA Tour last year in scrambling, scrambling from the rough and scrambling from 10-20 yards. He showed a timely return to form by finishing T2 at the BMW Championship. Don’t count him out.

Team Europe automatic qualifiers - Tyrell Hatton

12:20 , Ben Fleming

Personality, passion and entertainment. Tyrrell Hatton is not to everybody’s taste, but he has undeniable quality, as proven while flirting once more atop the leaderboard at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, eventually finishing in a tie for fourth, two behind Kurt Kitayama. A runner-up at TPC Sawgrass, Hatton set the table for his best year yet as further top-five finishes came at Quail Hollow, the Byron Nelson and the Canadian Open.

An average Ryder Cup record at 2-3-1, yet Hatton is rounding into form nicely as he enters the prime of his career. Fourth on the PGA Tour last year in strokes gained putting, Hatton is lifting himself into that tier behind McIlroy, Rahm and Hovland.

Team Europe automatic qualifiers - Viktor Hovland

12:15 , Ben Fleming

Hovland had only just burst on to the golfing scene when he made his Ryder Cup debut at Whistling Straits two years ago. Despite his undeniable talent, and the fact he was actually Europe’s second-highest-ranked player heading into the event, he looked every bit the rookie.

Forced to play every session due to the Europeans’ lack of quality depth, the Norwegian could only muster half points from one fourballs session and his singles match against fellow greenhorn Collin Morikawa. With two years more experience under his belt, and on a European course, he should be set up for greater success this time round.

He claimed a top 10-finish at the Masters, came agonisingly close to winning the PGA Championship while finishing tied for second and then nabbed a top-20s at the US Open and the Open to cement his place as a truly elite, top-five player in the world.

He then had a simply scintillating August as he produced a remarkable final-round 61 at the BMW Championship (playing alongside McIlroy, incidentally...) to snatch the title away from Scottie Scheffler before blitzing the field to win the season-ending Tour Championship by five strokes, claim the mammoth $18m prize and lay down a serious Ryder Cup marker.

Team Europe automatic qualifiers - Jon Rahm

12:10 , Ben Fleming

“Rahmbo” produced a devastating run of three victories in five starts to start the year, before brilliantly adding a second major to his CV by winning the Masters at Augusta and qualification for the Ryder Cup became a mere formality. A statement from the Spaniard and evidence that he would probably outlast Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler should all three of those who have claimed the world No 1 ranking this year perform to their potential.

A 4-3-1 record in two Ryder Cup appearances, Rahm will be a cornerstone of European golf in this transitional period. Donald might just pencil him in for at least three points when plotting the blueprint to bring about the United States’ downfall.

Team Europe automatic qualifiers - Rory McIlroy

12:05 , Ben Fleming

As McIlroy goes, Team Europe goes. If the Europeans are going to pull out a win against a star-studded American line-up, they need McIlroy – who mathematically secured automatic qualification with weeks to spare – to be the best player at the event. It will have to be the intimidating 2012, 2014 or 2016 version of Ryder Cup Rory, rather than the one-point McIlroy reduced to tears after feeling he let his teammates down that we saw in 2021.

The Northern Irishman will be the emotional heartbeat of Donald’s squad but as he’s shown by putting himself front and centre during golf’s civil war between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, that’s a role he’s more than comfortable with. The wait for an elusive fifth major goes on but a Ryder Cup victory would go some way to assuaging that pain.

Europe announce team for 2023 Ryder Cup

12:02 , Ben Fleming

So here we have it. The Ryder Cup is less than a month away. Zach Johnson confirmed Team USA this time last week and now it’s the turn of European captain, Luke Donald to do the same, with the Englishman set to announce the final six members of his team at 14:00pm BST.

We’ve got a couple of hours until then, so let’s first start by taking a look at the six confirmed members of Team Europe.

Europe announce team for 2023 Ryder Cup

11:16 , Lawrence Ostlere

Follow all the latest news and updates as captain Luke Donald announces his final picks for Team Europe ahead of the 2023 Ryder Cup.