European Squad May Already Have 11 Members Secured for the 2025 Ryder Cup... Who Earns the Remaining Place?
The race for the 12th man in Team Europe for the 2025 Ryder Cup is heating up, with Harry Hall, a rising star in golf, taking the lead as the most likely candidate, according to recent expert analysis.
Europe already has 11 near-confirmed players, including Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, Robert MacIntyre, and others. The final two spots are up for grabs, with the competition between experienced players and emerging talent creating a tense atmosphere.
Among the contenders, Harry Hall stands out as a favoured choice due to a combination of current performance and strategic fit for the team. The 7th-highest ranked European in Data Golf, Hall has already made a significant impact with his recent form and potential, outshining other contenders like Aaron Rai and Matt Wallace who seem less likely to secure the last spot.
Hall's impressive resume includes a maiden title on the PGA Tour at the ISCO Championship and a strong showing at both the PGA Championship and Open Championship, where he finished inside the top-30 on debut. His ability to average over 300 yards off the tee and rank 7th in SG: Total on the PGA Tour this year, despite losing 0.034 strokes per round off the tee, is a testament to his all-round game.
Moreover, Hall's familiarity with the conditions and atmosphere in the US, where he plays most of his golf, could give him an edge over other contenders.
Captain Luke Donald will finalize his six captain's picks by September 1, 2025, with the automatic qualification period ending just before that. While the exact 12th man depends on results from the remaining tournaments prior to the deadline, current expert consensus leans heavily towards Harry Hall as the final selection.
However, Matt Wallace could make a late run for selection if Captain Donald decides to take a gamble. Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka currently hold the final two automatic spots for Team Europe, but their positions could change in the coming weeks.
Keegan Bradley, the Ryder Cup captain for Team USA, is considering involving a handful of rookies for the Ryder Cup on home soil. The US team is far from certain to select Patrick Cantlay, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, Sam Burns, Wyndham Clark, and Tony Finau, creating an opportunity for other players to step up.
In conclusion, the 2025 Ryder Cup is shaping up to be an exciting event, with Harry Hall emerging as the front runner for the 12th man spot on Team Europe. The final confirmations will depend on the performances in the remaining tournaments leading up to the deadline in September 2025.
Despite the fierce competition, Harry Hall is currently favored to secure one of the remaining spots in Team Europe for the 2025 Ryder Cup, given his impressive performance in golf, particularly his recent wins and strategic fit for the team.
Amid the backdrop of the US Ryder Cup team potentially selecting rookies for the event on home soil, the success of those remaining tournaments could significantly impact the final selection for Team Europe, with Harry Hall holding the most promising chances.