Ryder Cup rookies- An overview of Team Europe’s debutants

As the 44th edition of the Ryder Cup edges closer, excitement is building as Team Europe looks to reclaim the Ryder Cup on home soil against the US team, who are looking for a first victory in Europe since 1995. The Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Italy hosts the showdown, with team captains Luke Donald and Zach Johnson looking to lead their teams to glory.

From the 24 players selected to compete for Europe and the US, there are eight debutants, four from each team.

Making their debuts for Team Europe are Robert MacIntyre, Sepp Straka, Ludwig Åberg and Nicholai Højgaard, whilst Sam Burns, Wyndham Clark, Brain Harmon and Max Homa are appearing for the US team for the first time.

Despite being rookies in the Ryder Cup, the US debutants have plenty of top championship experience between them and are all ranked amongst the top 25 players in the world. As for the European rookies, captain Luke Donald has taken a punt on younger, less experienced players in the hope that youth can blend well with experience to create a winning formula.

Here is a dive into the European rookies.

(Numbers listed next to players refers to PGA World Ranking)

Robert MacIntyre (55)

The only first-timer from the United Kingdom this year, Robert MacIntyre qualified automatically to play in the Ryder Cup through the European Points List alongside Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.

The Scot has been steady regarding his form this summer, with highlights including a tied second-place finish in the Scottish Open in July and a tie for fourth in the Czech Masters last month. MacIntyre has a history with this year’s Ryder Cup venue, having won his second DP World Tour title on the Rome course last year, pipping European teammate Matt Fitzpatrick to the title in a playoff hole.

The 27-year-old will be the first Scottish player to feature at a Ryder Cup since Stephen Gallacher at Gleneagles in 2014 and will be eager to make a great first impression on the big stage.

Sepp Straka (22)

With a current world ranking of 22, his highest world ranking to date, Sepp Straka is playing the best golf of his career.

Having finished in a tie for second place with teammate Jon Rahm at The Open in Scotland this year, Straka will be full of confidence. The Austrian turned pro in 2016, and the 30-year-old has a fair amount of experience in the professional circuit but will be eager to make a good impression on the grandest stage.

His most recent tournament win was at the John Deere Classic in July, and many Europeans are quietly confident that Straka will feature prominently this weekend as the Austrian is the oldest rookie selected partnered with his current form.

Ludvig Åberg (80)

A player that personifies the strategy Luke Donald is looking to employ, Ludvig Åberg is a choice that is sure to raise eyebrows but also create excitement.

Åberg is the first player selected for a Ryder Cup before having played in a major championship, with the Swede set to face an environment he has never experienced before this weekend. Thrust in at the deep end by Donald, Åberg is only the second player, after Sergio García, to make a Ryder Cup team during the same year as turning professional.

The 23-year-old is likely to be paired up with a Ryder Cup veteran, such as Rory McIlroy or Justin Rose, for the foursomes, with Åberg looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow Swede Henrik Stenson, who helped Europe to a dominant victory in 2018 by winning all three of his matches at Le Golf National.

Nicolai Højgaard (82)

The youngest rookie selected this year at 22, Nicolai Højgaard adds youth and vibrancy to an exciting European roster. The Danish powerhouse turned pro in 2019 at 17 years old and featured in two majors this year, including a 23rd-placed finish at The Open. He already has three professional wins to his name – two on the European Tour and one in the Nordic Golf League.

Højgaard will be the youngest member of Team Europe’s line-up this weekend, but will be sure to learn plenty about his game from a competitive field whilst applying his own skills to the competition. The Danish star comes from a family of skilled golfers, with twin brothers Rasmus and Nicholai winning DP Tour world titles combined.

A wide open Ryder Cup is anticipated in Italy this weekend, with both teams full of quality players who will look to be on their A-game. It may be one of these four rookies who delivers the crucial point to secure victory or keep Europe in the running, so make sure to look out for these four names over the next three days.