Team Europe could look totally different at next year’s Ryder Cup at Adare Manor. The squad that won in the United States in 2025 relied on continuity, but that foundation is crumbling. Veterans like Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton, and Jon Rahm are in poor form, while new talent has not faced the pressure of this event. Captain Luke Donald must decide whether to stick with experience or turn to untested rookies.
The 2025 win at Bethpage Black was historic, but it hid growing pains. Eleven of the twelve players from the 2023 team in Rome returned for the 2025 event. That continuity helped them handle a hostile crowd and secure a win on American soil for the first time in 13 years. Now, the same group faces a harsh reality check. Several key players are missing cuts and finishing near the bottom of leaderboards. If they cannot find their game in the next 12 months, the roster will have to change.
The Veteran Struggle
The core of the European team is aging and underperforming. Justin Rose has struggled recently, including consecutive missed cuts at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and Spanish Open. He missed the cut at the Spanish Open, marking his second straight weekend miss after failing to qualify at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Tyrrell Hatton faces similar issues. He missed the cut at both recent events and has not finished in the top 10 since LIV UK in July. Hatton and Jon Rahm built a solid bond over time, meaning his missing presence would damage team chemistry.
Jon Rahm himself is struggling. Although many consider him the top European golfer after Rory McIlroy, he ended up in last place at the BMW PGA Championship held at Wentworth. He looks like a shadow of his former self. his recent results have raised questions about this current form. If these three veterans do not improve, Luke Donald cannot count on them for the team next year. The pressure is on to find form quickly.
The Rookie Gamble
While the veterans fade, new names are rising. Alex Fitzpatrick has had a breakout season, but he has never played on a stage as big as the Ryder Cup. The same applies to Eugenio Chacarra, a young Spanish prodigy with talent but no experience in this specific environment. These players offer promise, but the Ryder Cup is different from any other tournament. The team dynamic and the pressure are unlike anything they have faced before.
It is completely unknown how they will cope with the Ryder Cup atmosphere. They have never played the event, which makes their selection a major risk. Donald expects some of his seasoned players to get better during the coming year. If they do not, the captain must trust rookies who have never felt the weight of the trophy. This shift could make the team unrecognizable compared to the squad that won in 2025.
Off-Course Drama and Captaincy Lessons
While Europe looks at its roster, the United States team is dealing with internal chaos. The US captain, Keegan Bradley, lost his temper with an official during the singles matches at Bethpage Black. The event occurred on the 14th hole during the first match featuring Cameron Young and Justin Rose. It took officials considerable time to locate a proper relief spot for Rose after his drive landed close to a path.
Bradley took out his frustration on Jeff Kiddie, a respected rules official. PGA professional Chandler Withington described the scene on the Musings On Golf podcast. “Now all of a sudden, we’ve got this traffic jam with the first match,” Withington said, according to talkSPORT. “Both captains right up to it, and Jeff’s sweating, and he’s doing his thing.” Kiddie tried to explain the situation, noting the rules process was slow. “I’ve gone back and watched it 10 times,” he is quoted as saying. “There’s nothing I can do to even get 10 seconds off that process. It’s what it is.”
Bradley allegedly flew into a rage and cursed at the official. According to reports, he confronted the official once more on the 15th fairway and again on the green for a third time. The outburst was severe enough that Kiddie has ruled out another appearance at the event. Withington explained the official’s reaction: “So Jeff Kiddie’s like, ‘Man, between the things that I heard said to the players on Saturday and this, I never want to be involved with the Ryder Cup ever again.'” This behavior adds another layer of trouble for the US team as they prepare for Adare Manor.
What It Means for 2027
Jim Furyk, the current US captain, is watching these mistakes closely. He served as a vice captain in 2025 and is looking to fix the team’s issues. He acknowledged that his squad faced odds against them a year prior to the competition beginning. Furyk is considering bringing in Tiger Woods next year. “I think there was an opportunity that maybe he would be named captain this time around as well,” he revealed. “You know, I’ll have that conversation. Tiger and I have always been friendly.”
For Europe, the path is clear but difficult. The team is favored to win their third straight Ryder Cup, but the roster is in flux. The continuity that helped them win in 2025 is gone.
