Bethpage is coming. For both Team USA and Team Europe only 7 months are left for the next edition of the Ryder Cup. And, for Keegan Bradley, an issue is creeping up to him. Only two of the eight PGA Tour winners this season are Americans. Four of them are Europeans. However, with the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele battling injuries, it is easy to see why Keegan Bradley would be thinking a bit too much about a tie at the end of September.

What about the other side, i.e. Team Europe’s captain Luke Donald? Well, in his recent chat with the Golf Channel, it’s safe to say his hands look full as he has to deal with a few difficulties. The issues while different from Bradley’s, could pose a serious challenge to Team Europe who are looking to clinch a victory away from home for only the third time in 12 tries.

Luke Donald’s concerns about Jon Rahm

Donald is currently in Florida, teeing off at the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches. However, his mind keeps drifting around, especially to Jon Rahm. The Spanish golfer recently dropped out of the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings and currently stands in the 25th position in the Ryder Cup ranking as well. But Donald still believes in Rahm and that he can be a part of the team come September. Therefore, he tries to stay in touch with him, despite him being associated with LIV Golf. “I try to make an effort to see him[Jon Rahm], if it’s at the majors or when he is here, I’m not seeing him as much. I am communicating with him outside of that too.” Nonetheless, this whole situation has been stressful fo the European Captain as Rahm is quite vital to the strength of the Europe Team.

Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland is also experiencing turbulence on the course. The 27-year-old made three appearances on the PGA Tour this season, failing to make the top 20 even once. In a time when Europeans are making waves on the PGA Tour, this is a bit concerning. He is also ranked 103rd in the Ryder Cup Points list. But his 2023 Captain is not worried.”Viktor is another one. I’m not really too worried about Viktor. He is a stud and he is going to start playing great. He’s not really that far off to be honest, if you look at the stats.” The Norwegian golfer has had a rough start to the 2025 season, given the fact that his toe broke making him a victim of injury. However, he had a decent 2024 with 2 top-10 finishes and only missed the cut three times.

Come September, Luke Donald will have a few difficult decisions to make. Does he go with his trusted cadre or does he make changes based on form and adaptability? That would be an interesting question for him to answer. Donald stated, “I’m keeping an eye on everyone with the point of trying to get the best twelve players to New York.”

Jon Rahm has been doing a great job at LIV where he is currently second in the standings for this year after having topped the same year. But his form outside of the LIV tour is questionable, recently failing to make the cut at the Dubai Desert Classic. Another LIV golfer, Tyrell Hatton, on the other hand, clinched the trophy at the Classic. Both of their performance in the majors will be key in determining their spots. Donald understood the caveat these guys come with and it will be another question he would have to deal with as a captain. “I would say there has been a few little differences this captaincy than last. Obviously two of the guys, Jon and Tyrell have gone to LIV.”

There is a reason why the designated role of a captain is very important to the teams. Tough decisions are made by the captain who has to bear the responsibility for it. Ask 2023 Ryder Cup’s Team USA captain Zach Johnson. “Little things like that has changed but it is all part of the captaincy. It is not supposed to be the easiest task, especially when playing away,” explained Donald, who is looking forward to the challenge at Bethpage. Luke Donald was a part of the squad during both of Team Europe’s recent away victories – 2004 and 2012. So his presence and knowledge would be vital. But who will be his weapons on the day of reckoning? Who can Team Europe and Luke Donald likely field for the Ryder Cup?

A very early European Ryder Cup Team

Rory McIlroy, Tyrell Hatton, Ludvig Aberg, and Shane Lowry are confirmed picks for the Ryder Cup based on the current points system, that is if the teams were chosen now. The other two confirmed picks would be Phoenix Open winner Thomas Detry and Nicolai Hojgaard’s brother Rasmus Hojagaard.

This leaves a huge pool of players for Donald to choose from to complete his table of 12. The likes of Rahm and Hovland are there but Matt Wallace, Laurie Canter, Tommy Fleetwood, Aaron Rai, and Robert MacIntyre are also available. Sepp Straka and Justin Rose, who were part of the 2023 Ryder Cup team will also be available for selection.

Luke Donald, will have his task cut out if he has to clinch a win away from home. For that, he needs the best of Europe to be ready for the call. A mix of experience and aggression would be a key way of moving forward for Team Europe. Do you think they can win at Bethpage this year and heap further misery on the American golfers?