Europe’s Ryder Cup team inspired by Rory McIlroy – here is who they should pick

The European Ryder Cup team WhatsApp group has “blown up” since the Masters and not just because of Rory McIlroy’s victory and Justin Rose’s gallant runner-up finish . At Augusta, America’s run of seven straight majors – the longest streak in 48 years – was ended by McIlroy’s dramatic win. “The players were desperate to end that US dominance and there has been plenty of celebrating on the WhatsApp group,” an insider said.

“It’s fair to say it’s blown up.” McIlroy’s first major victory in nearly 11 years ended a run of American dominance that saw Xander Schauffele win twice in 2024 along with Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau , following on from Wyndham Clark, Brooks Koepka and Brian Harman in 2023. European captain Luke Donald has forged a tight unit among the squad and he predicted to Telegraph Sport that the messages would flow back and forth among the blue-and-gold brigade if and when one of their number prevailed.



“Seven in a row is a lot, and I would love to see one of our guys halting it,” he said. “It would be a nice boost for European golf. “It’s not essential, because it wasn’t detrimental to our Ryder Cup in 2023, when they had won the previous three majors, because we still won convincingly in Rome.

“But we don’t want their streak going on and on. And it’s always nice to have bragging rights going into the Ryder Cup. It creates chatter amongst the players on their WhatsApp group.

It creates a strong, positive vibe.” Donald was keen to celebrate McIlroy’s triumph and paid tribute to the Northern Irishman finally ending his quest for a career grand slam . “You could just see the Augusta demons leaving Rory when that putt went in,” Donald posted on social media.

“What an unbelievable roller coaster of emotions – pure sport at its best. But history has been made and Rory has joined golf’s most elite by completing the grand slam. The Green Jacket is finally his.

” Donald’s counterpart Keegan Bradley will not be panicking, however, despite his countrymen winning only five of the 15 PGA Tour events staged for far this year. Team USA filled 12 of the top 20 places, with Patrick Reed in third sending himself hurtling into contention for Bethpage Black in September. But this was Europe’s week and McIlroy has declared that it is one of his main missions of the year to win another Ryder Cup on US soil.

“I’ve said this for the last probably six or seven years to anyone that will listen: I think one of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup,” he said. “And that’s what we’re going to do at Bethpage.” Team Europe The top six eligible following the British Masters on Aug 24 will qualify automatically.

Luke Donald will then pick six wildcards at a later date. Others : 19 Aaron Rai 404.28; 21 Sepp Straka 398.

57; 26 Jon Rahm 325.51; 64 Matt Fitzpatrick 154.17; unplaced: Sergio Garcia 0.

James Corrigan’s six wildcards as it stands Tommy Fleetwood, Thomas Detry, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Robert MacIntyre and Sepp Straka. Team USA The top six eligible following the BMW Championship on Aug 17 will qualify automatically. Keegan Bradley will then pick six wildcards at a later date.

Others : 20 Patrick Reed 2,59.59; 22 Keegan Bradley 2,437.79; 32 Jordan Spieth 1,753.

76; Brooks Koepka 389.64. James Corrigan’s six wildcards as it stands Brian Harman, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Tony Finau and Jordan Spieth.

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