Luke Donald has opted for experience in his bid to defend Europe’s Ryder Cup title, naming six accomplished players for the 45th edition at Bethpage Black. The contest, set for 26 to 28 September on the challenging 7 500-yard public course, will test a European line-up brimming with confidence.

The core of the team, Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Åberg, and Matt Fitzpatrick, joins automatic qualifiers Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Højgaard, and Tyrrell Hatton. Eleven of the twelve who delivered a 16.5-11.5 victory at Marco Simone in 2023 return, with Nicolai Højgaard the only omission. Donald asserts that this familiarity forms Europe’s chief advantage against a deep American roster.

Donald’s confidence is grounded in strong form. Jon Rahm brings a 6-3-3 Ryder Cup record, Matt Fitzpatrick arrives with five top-eight finishes in seven tournaments, and Sepp Straka’s two PGA Tour titles this season highlight his mettle in critical moments. Ludvig Åberg, now in the world’s top ten less than two years after turning professional, exemplifies the blend of experience and new talent in the squad.

Yet the challenge is daunting. Europe’s last win on American soil dates back to the "Miracle at Medinah" in 2012, and Donald becomes the first European captain since Bernhard Gallacher to lead consecutive teams in the United States. Bethpage Black’s notoriously partisan crowds and tough greens are seen as favouring an aggressive American style.

Viewed through the lens of sporting continuity, Donald’s line-up is a statement in trust and calculated risk. From a strategic perspective, the choice to back proven performers may define the course of European golf on American ground.