We've predicted the next Ryder Cup teams and captains so you can shout at us

GolfMagic's editorial staff have had a crack at predicting the 2027 Ryder Cup teams - do you agree with our selections?

Updated: 03 Oct 2025

The end of the Ryder Cup is always a bittersweet moment for golf fans everywhere.

After two years of debating teams, analysing pairings, dissecting past mistakes, and predicting winners, it's all over in the blink of an eye.

Europe not only retained the Cup but won it in spectacular fashion at Bethpage Black, producing one of the all-time great contests against the United States in New York.

The inquest has already begun for Keegan Bradley, while the champagne is still flowing for Luke Donald's dozen.

Here at GolfMagic, we're feeling particularly glum - especially knowing that the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor is now 715 days away.

But what is getting our juices flowing is predicting what the teams will look like when the Cup heads to the Augusta National of Ireland.

So, with our eyes firmly on the future, our editorial team have had a crack at predicting the squads and captains when the Ryder Cup returns to European soil.

Agree with us? Disagree? Big shrug?

Send us a message over on our X, Instagram or leave a comment on our YouTube channel.

Scroll down...

Andy Roberts

**Europe**
Luke Donald (c)
Rory McIlroy
Jon Rahm
Tommy Fleetwood
Tyrrell Hatton
Ludvig Aberg
Viktor Hovland
Shane Lowry
Bob MacIntyre
Matt Fitzpatrick
Justin Rose
Marco Penge
Harry Hall

I have already written at large how I think Luke Donald will find the lure of an outright record three-peat far too great for him to turn down at Adare Manor.

Donald said in the victory celebrations he's not sure his heart can last another two years, but once he's had to time to digest everything alongside his wife Diane, I think he will say yes to Ryder Cup Europe.

No captain in Ryder Cup history, going all the way back to the very start in 1927, has won three cups on the bounce.

Donald will kick himself later down the line if he doesn't take on this unbelievable chance at Ryder Cup history.

I think Donald's team will look largely unchanged once more in 2027, albeit there will be two changes in my book.

Marco Penge and Harry Hall were both unfortunate to miss out on the 2025 team, but I think the English duo can both maintain their steady rise in the game and make their debuts in two years time.

The two that will make way? Rasmus Hojgaard, who was the only player at the Ryder Cup to finish the week with 0 points, and Sepp Straka.

This current European setup has a seemingly unbreakable bond and I think the hosts will be extremely difficult to beat in Ireland, especially without having to deal with verbal abuse and insults on every hole.

United States
Webb Simpson (c)
Scottie Scheffler
Bryson DeChambeau
Xander Schauffele
Patrick Cantlay
Cameron Young
Justin Thomas
Russell Henley
Sam Burns
JJ Spaun
Ben Griffin
Brooks Koepka
Maverick McNealy

Webb Simpson assumed a vice-captaincy role in 2025 and I think given he's still playing alongside these guys on the PGA Tour that it makes a great deal of sense for him to assume the position for the first time.

He cannot possibly do any worse than Zach Johnson and Keegan Bradley before him, let's be honest.

Similarly to my predicted 2027 European Ryder Cup team, I'm going for two changes for USA.

I think Harris English and Collin Morikawa - the 132nd out of 132 most suited partnership for foursomes golf according to Data Golf that Bradley decided to use not once but twice at Bethpage Black - will make way for Brooks Koepka and Maverick McNealy.

Koepka was sorely missed on the 2025 team in my view, and yes, he has been significantly out of form of late but the signs were there for all to see in France last month that the five-time major champion still has game.

He can't play any worse over the next two years than he did in the majors and on LIV Golf this season, largely down to a stonecold putter, but it sounds like he's solved such technical issues now alongside coach Pete Cowen and I can see him moving massively forwards with his game.

Collin Morikawa could of course turn his game around and remain on the team, but the two-time major champion's recent slide looks extremely worrying.

Sometimes when the wheels fall off in our sport it's tough to get them back on.

The putter looks to be the biggest contributor to his downfall at the moment, but as I say he could easily turn it around given his tee-to-green game is as good as any on the PGA Tour when it's on.

Keith Jackson

Europe
Justin Rose (c)
Rory McIlroy
Tommy Fleetwood
Jon Rahm
Tyrrell Hatton
Matt Fitzpatrick
Shane Lowry
Ludvig Aberg
Viktor Hovland
Bob MacIntyre
Aaron Rai
Thomas Detry
Marco Penge

As much as I’d like to see Luke Donald return for a third stint as captain, I thought he looked seriously drained at Bethpage, although that might have had something to do with the US fightback on Sunday!

After four years of full investment in the role, he's earned a break and that would open the door for Justin Rose.

The risk with that is creating the same dilemma faced by Keegan Bradley as he considered being a player-captain at Bethpage.

But Rose will be 47 by the team we get to Adare Manor, and it'll take something special for him to maintain the levels of consistent excellence we’ve seen from him over the last few years.

As for the players, I've made three changes. Out go Rasmus Hojgaard, Sepp Straka and Rose, in come Aaron Rai, Thomas Detry and Marco Penge.

Rai and Detry are both established on the PGA Tour and weren't far off making the team this year.

Penge is a huge talent and many felt he should have got a captain's pick for Bethpage as he was ranked second in the Race to Dubai.

If Penge fancies a switch to playing in the US, that'll enhance his chances of qualifying.

I'm expecting Straka and Harry Hall to make a good case, and who wouldn't want to see Matt Wallace make his debut in Ireland?

United States
Webb Simpson (c)
Scottie Scheffler
Cameron Young
Xander Schauffele
Ben Griffin
Keegan Bradley
Bryson DeChambeau
Collin Morikawa
Patrick Cantlay
Justin Thomas
Jordan Spieth
Akshay Bhatia
Jake Knapp

Webb Simpson is one of the favourites to replace Keegan Bradley as US captain having been in the backroom team in New York.

It's almost certain that the PGA of America will give Tiger Woods first refusal, but I'm thinking he'll wait until the Ryder Cup returns to Hazeltine in 2029.

Bradley is the bookies' favourite to stay on in the role, but the way he's been playing, he'll surely want to focus on making the team at Adare Manor and not be burdened with the player-captain dilemma that troubled him this summer.

Like Europe, I've made three changes to the US line-up, with Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka and Jake Knapp coming in for Russell Henley, Harris English and Sam Burns.

Spieth showed only occasional glimpses of his best this year after returning from wrist surgery, and he's surely due to hit his stride soon.

It only takes one good week to lift the confidence and, once that happens, the three-time major winner will be back in business.

Koepka is a few decent putting rounds away from doing the same after a torrid 2025, while Knapp has one of the best swings in the game but his career has been blighted by inconsistency.

If Knapp doesn't make it then Akshay Bhatia should be in the frame, while Patrick Reed would need some big major performances to press his claims.

And if you're looking at long-shots, how about Jackson Koivun or Michael La Sasso, two members of the victorious US Walker Cup team who have both shown some impressive form on the PGA Tour.

Ben Smith

Europe
Francesco Molinari (c)
Rory McIlroy
Jon Rahm
Tommy Fleetwood
Tyrrell Hatton
Ludvig Aberg
Viktor Hovland
Shane Lowry
Matthew Fitzpatrick
Robert MacIntyre
Justin Rose
Sepp Straka
Marco Penge

Luke Donald will obviously take a few months to decide whether he wants to run it back. I have a feeling he may decide to step away because, as Keith mentioned, he looked exhausted.

Clearly, the role has consumed his life for four years and I suspect that he'll want to take a break.

He was Europe's continuity captain at Bethpage Black and I believe the European Ryder Cup officials will make a similar decision when it comes to appointing the next man.

The blueprint for home Ryder Cup success is well established and, with Justin Rose likely wanting to avoid a repeat of the Keegan Bradley saga, there seems to be a lack of credible candidates.

Francesco Molinari, in my view, is the front-runner to succeed Donald if the Englishman says no and Rose also turns it down.

As for the team I don't believe there will be too many changes.

Father time remains undefeated and many believe the aforementioned Rose won't be playing at the same level. I'd agree, but I don't think Rose will have fallen off a cliff and will be playing well enough to be among the debate for a captain's pick.

Should that be the case, then surely Rose's reputation will be enough to give him the nod so he can be deployed in the foursomes once again.

Elsewhere, I think Sepp Straka will retain his place. Now an established winner on the PGA Tour, the Austrian just swings it too good.

I agree with Andy and Keith that Marco Penge will hit the big time over the next few years.

United States
Tiger Woods (c)
Scottie Scheffler
Xander Schauffele
Bryson DeChambeau
Patrick Cantlay
Justin Thomas
Collin Morikawa
Jordan Spieth
Brooks Koepka
Russell Henley
Luke Clanton
Maverick McNealy
Billy Horschel

I think Tiger Woods should steer well clear of the captaincy, but I can't imagine the 15-time major champion turning down the role.

His relationship with J. P. McManus, the Irish billionaire that owns Adare Manor, is well-documented - so I can't imagine Woods not being the captain.

As for the team, I think there'll be a few changes. It seems quite sad to say now that Jordan Spieth has essentially turned into an average PGA Tour player, but I believe the three-time major champ will make a return to golf's biggest stage in 2027 providing he can remain injury-free.

Brooks Koepka, much like Rory McIlroy, always blows hot and cold. I find it difficult to believe that Koepka won't have another day in the sun. I'm backing Koepka to turn his dismal form around.

Elsewhere, I've gone for what some may consider outlandish picks. Luke Clanton already looks like a superstar and I think he'll be a winner on the PGA Tour soon enough.

Some players seem to get better with age. I think Billy Horschel falls into this bracket. I'm backing Billy to finally make his Ryder Cup debut.