Dan Rapaport picks the player who has become the ‘heart and soul’ of America’s Ryder Cup team and the US’ version of Rory McIlroy

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The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage is now only six months away and excitement is building among golf fans.

United States and European team captains Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald will both already be well underway with their preparation for the upcoming event.

The competition always sparks interesting debates over which players should make the respective teams.

Dan Rapaport is the latest to discuss the potential lineups, naming the “heart and soul” of the American Ryder Cup team who he expects to play at Bethpage.

• READ MORE: Rich Beem thinks one US player has just confirmed his spot on the Ryder Cup team with his performance at the Players Championship

Dan Rapaport names the leader of the United States Ryder Cup team

Rapaport named Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa as the top two players he would want on the US Ryder Cup team if it were today.

He then picked Justin Thomas third, not only because he’s in good form but also because he’s established himself as an important personality within the group.

“All of these birdies that he’s making. That’s what you need in match play. He’s played at a top-10 level for most of this entire year and he’s sort of the heart and soul of this team.

“Emotionally, if Rory [McIlroy] or maybe [Jon] Rahm is that guy on the European side, it seems like JT has taken that leadership role. He made the team when he was playing terribly and he’s not playing terribly now.”

Rapaport also made the crucial point that European players “don’t want to play against him” because of his impressive record and passion for the competition.

The European Ryder Cup player who suits Bethpage perfectly

Rapaport was joined by PGA Tour commentator James Gregg, who selected the 12 players who should make the European Ryder Cup team for Bethpage.

And Gregg named Ludvig Aberg second, only behind McIlroy, partly because of how well-suited he is to the golf course.

“His game just suits Bethpage perfectly well, doesn’t it? If you wanted somebody to hit a tee shot in a small square 320 yards down the middle of a tight fairway, you’d be picking Ludvig. I can’t think of any other player. Scottie [Scheffler] when he was on song last year, maybe.

“It’s going to be a brutish test, not just with the golf course but also, from a European perspective, with the fans. And I just think with his temperament, he’s so cool, so calm, everything that will be thrown at him will be like water off a duck’s back.

“And remember this is a guy who was part of that duo who beat Brooks [Koepka] and Scottie 9&8. I think Ludvig is going to be a main staple of the European Ryder Cup team for years to come.”