Team Europe Ryder Cup Stock Watch: Who’s Playing Their Way In and Who’s Falling Behind?

The road to Bethpage Black is narrowing fast, and Team Europe’s Ryder Cup roster is beginning to take shape, with plenty of late movement still possible. Captain Luke Donald will once again rely on a mix of automatic qualifiers and Captain’s picks, guided by performance, experience, and competitive temperament. In 2023, a blend of established stars and breakout performers delivered Europe a dominant win in Rome, but with a hostile road game ahead of them this September, form and confidence will matter more than reputation. Over the past several weeks, several under-the-radar names have emerged with timely results, while others once projected to feature are suddenly fading from consideration. With just weeks remaining before final selections, here’s a breakdown of the players trending up and down for Team Europe.

Risers

Robert MacIntyre – Locking It In at the Right Time

Robert MacIntyre is playing some of the best golf of his career, and doing it exactly when it matters most. After a runner-up finish at the U.S. Open, MacIntyre backed up his strong major-level performance with a T17 finish at the Traveler’s which elevated him well within the automatic qualifying zone. Long seen as a potential match-play menace, the lefty from Scotland is combining elite ball-striking with composure under pressure. His fiery edge, willingness to take on tough shots, and success in big moments make him a perfect fit for the challenge of a road Ryder Cup. At this point, MacIntyre has all but punched his ticket to Bethpage.

Aaron Rai – Quiet Consistency Turning Heads

Aaron Rai might not be the flashiest player on either side of the Atlantic, but his name continues to pop up on leaderboards and in Ryder Cup projections, and for good reason. With four top-25s in his last seven starts, Rai’s game is trending up at just the right time. He’s one of the most accurate drivers in the field, excels in tough conditions, and is statistically among the best in the strokes gained approach, a profile that could prove invaluable in foursomes. Rai also brings calm energy and tactical patience, two traits often undervalued in team golf. If he stays hot through July and August, he could make the leap from sleeper to captain’s pick.

Harry Hall – A Surprise Name on the Rise

Harry Hall has been one of the surprise stories of the summer, climbing into the Ryder Cup conversation with a run of form few saw coming. The Englishman has posted five top-25 finishes on the PGA Tour in his last five starts and has shown the ability to thrive under pressure, particularly with his short game. Hall ranks near the top of the Tour in strokes gained putting, a skill that becomes even more valuable in match-play formats. His energy and fearlessness on the course give him an intangible boost, and he’s becoming a legitimate option for a captain looking to inject fresh firepower into the team. Hall may still be a longshot, but he’s rapidly becoming one of the most intriguing wild cards in Europe’s pool.

Fallers

Rasmus Hojgaard – Momentum Stalling at the Wrong Time

Rasmus Hojgaard entered the 2025 season with high expectations and Ryder Cup buzz after a strong 2024, but his recent form has taken a serious hit. Despite a solid stretch earlier in the year, Hojgaard, over the past few months, has cooled significantly, with only a couple of top-25s and a handful of missed cuts since February. While the talent is still obvious, his approach to play has become inconsistent, and his putting, never a strength, has regressed in pressure moments. With other names like Hall and Rai surging, Hojgaard’s position as a presumed captain’s pick has become far more tenuous. If he doesn’t rebound soon, he could be watching from home in September.

Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen – Early Spark Now Fading

After a promising start to the season and a handful of strong DP World Tour finishes, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen was gaining steam as a Ryder Cup sleeper. Over the past six weeks, however, his form has cooled significantly, with three missed cuts in his last five starts. His stats have flattened out, especially around the greens, and he’s fallen well outside the qualifying thresholds on both points lists. At 24, he’s still firmly part of Europe’s future, but he hasn’t done enough recently to force his way into the present. With more consistent players now rising, Neergaard-Petersen is slipping out of the picture.

Thorbjorn Olesen – Veteran Presence, But No Momentum

Thorbjorn Olesen was viewed early in the season as a veteran candidate for Team Europe, a past Ryder Cup winner with match play experience and a strong 2024 showing on the DP World Tour. In 2025, however, Olesen has seen his form nosedive, with a string of poor finishes and only one top-five finish in the calendar year. His putting has been shaky, and he’s struggled to generate scoring chances even on more forgiving layouts. As Ryder Cup rookies gain momentum, Olesen’s lack of results leaves him on the outside looking in. Unless he can produce a signature performance in July and August, his Ryder Cup return will have to wait.

Final Thoughts

Europe’s Ryder Cup core, players like Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, and Tyrrell Hatton, remain unchanged, but the final spots on Luke Donald’s 12-man roster are far from decided. Robert MacIntyre is surging into an automatic slot, while Aaron Rai and Harry Hall are turning late-season momentum into captain’s pick consideration. Meanwhile, recent stumbles from Hojgaard, Neergaard-Petersen, and Olesen have opened the door for new faces and possibly closed it on familiar ones. With Bethpage Black looming and the field narrowing, Europe’s strength will lie not in legacy but in current form, course fit, and match-play grit. The next month will be make-or-break for resumes, reputations, and Ryder Cup dreams.