Ryder Cup 2025 captain's picks: Which players missed out for Europe?

So, the wait is over and European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has named his six captain's picks for the forthcoming dust-up with Team USA at Bethpage Black. 

Donald's choices were unsurprising, with the former World No.1 opting to select Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Sepp Straka. 

In truth, the only real question mark surrounded Austria's Straka, who has been dealing with a 'personal matter' over the last few weeks. 

The 32-year-old withdrew prior to the start of the BMW Championship and returned at the season-ending finale where he finished dead last in the 30-man field.   

But the golfer looked over the moon as Donald announced Straka will make his second appearance in the blue and gold. 

Donald's captain's picks join Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre, Tyrrell Hatton and Rasmus Hojgaard. 

There will undoubtedly be a few golfers left disappointed, though. 

Let's take a look...

Sergio Garcia

Europe's record points scorer resigned from the DP World Tour in May 2023 following sanctions imposed for participating in LIV Golf events. 

The 2017 Masters champion made a dramatic return in November 2024, though, with the sole aim of making his 12th appearance. 

But despite a strong start to the season, Garcia simply did not show enough to justify a captain's pick. 

Garcia played in three majors and his best finish was at The Open at Royal Portrush, where he tied for 34th. He missed the cut at The Masters and shared 67th spot at the PGA Championship.

Matt Wallace

Wallace just missed out on selection in 2018 when the matches were played at Le Golf National in Paris, finishing 13th in the standings. 

He found himself in a similar situation this year after another near miss.

Wallace was reduced to tears after the conclusion of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland, vowing never to give up on his dream of representing Europe in the Ryder Cup. 

Thomas Detry

Entered the Ryder Cup conversation early when he finally got his first win on the PGA Tour at the WM Phoenix Open. 

The Belgian followed that victory with five missed cuts, two of which came at The Masters and PGA Championship. 

Aaron Rai

Rai's career trajectory has only gone upward in recent years. He captured his first PGA Tour title at the 2024 Wyndham Championship and, at times, was seen as a lock for Team Europe given his propensity to seemingly never miss a fairway. 

But Rai will have to wait for his Ryder Cup debut. 

Marco Penge

The 27-year-old has had an impressive season on the DP World Tour. 

He won for the first time at the Hainan Classic and grabbed another win at the Danish Golf Championship last month. 

Big-hitting Penge also finished second at the Scottish Open and was hailed as a future star by McIlroy. 

You'd bank on Penge making his debut for Europe at Adare Manor in two years' time. 

Harry Hall

Donald will have agonised over Hall. 

The Cornishman had a terrific season, achieving five top-10 finishes. 

He also recorded more rounds in the 60s than World No.1 Scottie Scheffler. 

Nicolai Hojgaard

Made his debut in Italy two years ago and didn't disgrace himself this season, finishing 18th in the standings. 

But he will be supporting his twin brother from outside the ropes at Bethpage. 

Alex Noren

The 43-year-old had a difficult campaign, missing several months with a pelvis injury. 

Noren has shown good form in recent weeks though, highlighted by a victory at the British Masters. 

Donald will have been tempted by the Swede's experience, though, given he was part of Europe's victory at Le Golf National in 2018.