With Sunday at The Open Championship bringing the curtain down on the major championship season for 2025, it is hard not to now look straight ahead to the Ryder Cup at Bethpage.
There have been so many fascinating twists leading up to the Ryder Cup. Of course, there is so much intrigue to see how Keegan Bradley fares as captain, particularly if he ends up playing.
Meanwhile, Luke Donald is looking to become the first captain to win an away Ryder Cup since Jose Maria Olazabal in 2012.
It was European players who flew out of the blocks on the PGA Tour in 2025. But USA have fought back and dominated the top of the leaderboard at The Open Championship. Scottie Scheffler ensured that three major titles currently find themselves Stateside.
Europe told they have a new Bernhard Langer ahead of the Ryder Cup
It does appear entirely possible that Donald could take a team made up of at least 10 of those who played in Rome. And that may mean a seventh appearance in the event for one member of his side.
Justin Rose played an extremely important role at Marco Simone two years ago, as he played alongside Robert MacIntyre in both fourball sessions. The pair won one and halved another of their two matches.
And speaking on 5 Clubs, David Howell suggested that Rose is absolutely perfect for the elder statesman role on Donald’s team in New York.
“Whoever’s going to show form right up to the final week of qualifying, it’s coming round thick and fast. I would imagine, I don’t know this for sure, that Luke is saying to, as you say, eight, 10, 12 guys: ‘show me form in the lead-up and you’ve got every chance of making the team’. I don’t think he’s going to give anyone the nod,” he said.
“I would expect Justin Rose to be there, but I think he’ll keep him hanging. I think Justin Rose has become the modern day version of Bernhard Langer from my era almost, where he’s just perfect for foursomes. The experience, the big moments, that is the kind of player Justin Rose is.
“Now, I would expect him to be there. But I think he’ll want Justin to show some form over those last few weeks on the run-in.”
Where Justin Rose stands in the qualification rankings for the Ryder Cup
Rose is currently eighth in the qualification standings.
Admittedly, it is more than two years since his most recent PGA Tour victory. And he missed the cut at both the PGA Championship and the US Open.
However, Rose so nearly won a second major title at The Masters in April. And he registered yet another top 20 at The Open Championship this past week.
Rose has produced a catalogue of incredible moments in the Ryder Cup over the years and has never let the Europeans down on the big stage.
Howell may think that Donald will be reluctant to confirm Rose will be on his team just yet. But as things stand, it is difficult to see how the Englishman is not involved in September.
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