Luke Donald gives his honest opinion on the 12 players who Keegan Bradley has picked for USA’s Ryder Cup team

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The Ryder Cup teams are now set after Luke Donald finalised his 12-man squad for Bethpage Black with his six captain’s picks.

There was little in the way of shocks as Donald stuck with the tried and tested from Rome two years ago.

Indeed, the only change to Donald’s squad was the inclusion of Rasmus Hojgaard, who takes his brother’s place from last time out in Italy after qualifying automatically through the points system.

As we all saw in Rome, the home advantage and how Europe were able to execute as a team was in stark contrast to the US team, who struggled all week.

• READ MORE: It is already clear who Luke Donald should be pairing Jon Rahm with at the Ryder Cup

However, with Bethpage Black set to be a testing venue for the away team, Donald has warned of underestimating both the actual players, and the venue.

Luke Donald comments on Team USA ahead of the Ryder Cup

Luke Donald has been speaking for much of the day about his picks and the thought process behind it.

In the end, it is a lot of continuity for Donald and Team Europe but he knows as well that the US have some of the world’s best players, and the world number one in their ranks.

Indeed, speaking after naming his own squad, Donald warned against being complacent.

“Incredible talent. Very strong team. World number one in Scottie Scheffler,” Donald said. “

“I think all 12 are inside the top 20 or 25 in the world. On paper they are very stacked and it’s going to be a big challenge playing against these great players.”

When it came to the question of the USA being under pressure being the home team, Donald admitted it was something he’d very much felt while in Rome in 2023.

“I certainly felt it in Rome. I was very aware we had not lost at home for 30 years and coming off a heavy defeat in Whistling Straits that pressure was mounting for me. I felt it,” Donald added.

“It made me want to be as prepared as I can and I’m sure Keegan is thinking the same thing. He won’t want to lose at home. So I know we are up against it. I know I will have to be as prepared as I can.”

• READ MORE: The brutal comment Tom Watson made to Keegan Bradley after he lost his singles match at the 2014 Ryder Cup

Team Europe playing it safe ahead of a huge test at Bethpage Black

There wasn’t a single surprise in this selection from Luke Donald. Not one.

The only bit of nervousness for those involved in Rome was the delay in confirming that Matt Fitzpatrick would play but in the end, he got the nod as well.

Donald is banking on continuity and team spirit from 2023 – as well as the great talent his team has – to really make a splash in New York.

Of course, the Scottie Scheffler-led USA team are massively talented themselves and they’ll want revenge for 2023, while at the same time trying to impress their new skipper, Keegan Bradley.

Indeed, should Europe pull this off and come out on top again, it will go down as one of the great Ryder Cup wins.