A few days ago, I posted my way-too-early 2027 Team USA Ryder Cup predictions, and now it’s time to turn the focus to Team Europe.
Unlike the U.S., Team Europe has been riding a Ryder Cup high for quite some time, winning the last two, including the most recent one on away soil, a feat the Americans haven’t accomplished since 1993. In 2027, the Ryder Cup heads back to Europe: Ireland, at Adare Manor and the conversation will once again be about whether the U.S. can finally win on foreign soil again. But after losing at Bethpage last fall, that task feels more out of reach than ever.
For Team Europe, the past two squads have felt especially close, united, and frankly, a bit special. The 2023 and 2025 teams were nearly identical (pun intended), with the only change being the swap of one identical twin for the other, Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard. Because of that continuity, some may argue there isn’t much to predict or debate and that the same 12 players should simply be brought back once again. History, however, tells a different story. It’s extremely rare to see an almost identical Ryder Cup squad carried over from one edition to the next – let alone across three straight Ryder Cups – but maybe this group really is that special. While it would be incredible if, by 2027, the same core remains firmly at the top and ready to go to battle against the U.S., I expect a few new names to emerge. With the event being played on home turf, Europe may also be more willing to give a couple of rookies their shot.
For those unaware of the Ryder Cup and how it works here’s a quick explanation: The Ryder Cup takes place every two years and features Team USA vs. Team Europe in one of the most electric events in golf. It’s a three-day match play tournament (Friday–Sunday) made up of 12 players per side, plus a captain leading each team. On both teams, six players automatically qualify through a points list that runs leading up to the event. The remaining six spots are captain’s picks, where each captain can select whoever they feel gives their team the best chance to win (This is the part we debate for months) The first two days feature Fourballs and Foursomes (Alternate Shot), before everything comes down to Singles matches on Sunday. Scoring is simple: win your match = 1 point, tie = 0.5 points each. The first team to reach 14.5 points wins the Ryder Cup.
Ok without further ado here are my 2027 Team Europe Ryder Cup Predictions:
** Note: this list assumes that any potential fines affecting Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton’s (or anyone elses) eligibility are resolved and do not have impacts for the 2027 Ryder Cup.**
Team Europe- 2027 Ryder Cup: (Write-up below)
Rory Mcilroy
Jon Rahm
Viktor Hovland
Tommy Fleetwood
David Puig
Ludvig Aberg
Robert Macintyre
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen
Justin Rose
Matt Fitzpatrick
Tom Mckibben
Shane Lowry
Team Europe
Top 6 Automatic Qualifiers via points list
1. Rory Mcilroy: 2025, 2023, 2021, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010 Ryder Cupper
Ryder Cup Record: 19-14-5 (Wins, Losses, Ties)
Just like Scottie for the US, there is no explanation needed for why Rory will be on this team. He’s played in every Ryder Cup since 2010 and it means the world to him these day. I’d put all the money in the world down Rory will be apart of this team in 2027
2. Jon Rahm: 2025, 2023, 2021, 2018 Ryder Cupper
Ryder Cup Record: 9-5-3 (Wins, Losses, Ties)
Again, there isn’t much explanation needed here. Some may still be salty about his move to LIV Golf, and who knows where he’ll be playing come 2027, but there’s no denying his talent. A two-time major champion and one of the best players in the world, Rahm is on the team.
3. Viktor Hovland: 2025, 2023, 2021 Ryder Cupper
Ryder Cup Record: 4-5-4 (Wins, Losses, Ties)
Hovland is going to have a big 2026, and this time, after a strong season, he’ll carry that momentum forward rather into the next year, rather than reset. I think he grabs at least one major between now and Adare Manor. Still only 28, Hovland has a ton of prime golf ahead of him. In 2026, he’ll once again consistently show both fans and his peers that he’s a no-brainer top-5 to top-10 player in the world moving forward, and he’ll be one of the leaders of this squad.
4. Tommy Fleetwood: 2025, 2023, 2021, 2018 Ryder Cupper
Ryder Cup Record: 11-4-1 (Wins, Losses, Ties)
For all his shortcomings or underachievement on the PGA Tour, Tommy Fleetwood has become Mr. Ryder Cup. He simply thrives and dominates in this format. Just look at the record: through four Ryder Cups, he’s nearly averaging three full points per appearance. He’s coming off the most consistent and best golf of his career in 2025, capped by an unbelievable performance at Bethpage. Tommy will be back for more blood in 2027.
5. David Puig: Rookie
Ryder Cup Record: N/A
Here’s my first change-up. I’m extremely high on the young Spaniard David Puig, and I think he’s going to emerge as one of the game’s top talents by the time the 2027 Ryder Cup rolls around. Puig is set for a big season on LIV, and since gaining membership on the DP World Tour for 2026, he’s already started to show the golf world his upside, picking up a win along with a T3 and T7 in just four starts. Over the next two seasons, Puig will elevate his game to another level and make it impossible for whoever the 2027 captain is to keep the same squad intact.
6. Ludvig Aberg: 2025, 2023 Ryder Cupper
Ryder Cup Record: 4-4-0 (Wins, Losses, Ties)
I love Aberg and want nothing more than for him to become a dominant, winning figure in the game, but right now he isn’t quite what the media makes him out to be. His resume is still very impressive and he’s a dude, but he’s stalled a bit since winning the 2025 Genesis. I’m hoping we start to see that “rising superstar” talent the media so often labels him as re-emerge. For this list, I’m operating under the expectation that he works through this funk and returns to being a consistent week-in, week-out threat on Tour, which would make him a lock for the 2027 Ryder Cup squad.
Captain’s Picks:
7. Robert Macintyre: 2025, 2023 Ryder Cupper
Ryder Cup Record: 3-1-2 (Wins, Losses, Ties)
I think Bobby Mac has major winning upside and it wouldn’t shock me one bit if he comes to Adare Manor as a Major Champion. In 2023 he was the 11-12th man on the squad and looked a little in over his head a times but held his own and since then he’s taken his golf game to a whole other level and he hasn’t reached his max potential yet. He’s up to the 5th ranked golfer in the world and there’s more big things coming for Bob.
8. Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen: Rookie
Ryder Cup Record: N/A
Neergaard-Petersen is my second rookie on this team. Now 26, he’s beginning his first season on the PGA Tour after earning his card through the DP World Tour in 2025. Turning professional in 2023, he started out on Europe’s Challenge Tour, where he won three times in 2024 to secure his DP World Tour card.
He found immediate success at the next level and, by season’s end, had done enough to earn his PGA Tour card before capping the run with a victory at the Crown Australian Open at the historic Royal Melbourne Golf Club. If he can become a stronger and more consistent putter, watch out cause he’ll be able to make some real noise. I anticipate quick success in the U.S. for Neergaard-Petersen, and like Puig, he’ll make it impossible to keep the same Ryder Cup squad together come 2027.
9. Justin Rose: 2025, 2023, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008 Ryder Cupper
Ryder Cup Record: 16-10-3 (Wins, Losses, Ties)
Justin Rose is going to use every bit of fuel left in his tank to make this team, and there’s plenty still in it. The level of golf he’s playing right now, combined with the Ryder Cup performance he’s coming off, is incredibly impressive for a 45-year-old. He’s got a real shot to win a major in 2026, and I wouldn’t be the least bit shocked if Rose is back again for the 2029 Ryder Cup. A classy, proper player.
10. Matt Fitzpatrick: 2025, 2023, 2021, 2016 Ryder Cupper
Ryder Cup Record: 3-8-1 (Wins, Losses, Ties)
When you look at Fitzpatrick’s Ryder Cup record, it’s quite poor, but he’s coming off his best showing at Bethpage, going 2–1–1, so I don’t think that’s an area of concern for whoever is making the captain’s picks come 2027. The back half of 2025 saw Fitzpatrick start to return to his major-champion form, capped off with a win after the Ryder Cup at the DP World Tour Championship in November. Fitzpatrick appears to be back in a great spot with his game and should be comfortably able to make this team.
11. Tom Mckibben: Rookie
Ryder Cup Record: N/A
McKibbin is going to have to make some real noise over the next couple of seasons if he wants to be on this team and earn a captain’s pick. Heading into his second season on LIV in 2026, he’ll need to contend more consistently, pick up a few wins, and start producing solid results in the major championships. That’s a lot to ask of a 23-year-old, but McKibbin has shown he’s more than capable.
I have no doubt McKibbin will be a Ryder Cup player at some point in his career, the real question is whether it happens as soon as 2027. I expect him to take his game to another level starting in 2026. He’s more mature now, more experienced as a professional, and learning stuff from his teammates on LIV Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton can’t hurt.
12. Shane Lowry: 2025, 2023, 2021 Ryder Cupper
Ryder Cup Record: 3-3-3 (Wins, Losses, Ties)
I really wrestled with leaving Lowry off this team, but with the Ryder Cup being held in Ireland—and considering he made the putt that retained (and ultimately won) the 2025 Ryder Cup for Team Europe—it’s hard to see him not being on the team. Even if he’s having a poorer year or isn’t in the same form he showed at times in 2025, he still has a strong chance of earning a captain’s pick. Lowry is still a fantastic player, but I’m anticipating a slight dip in play by 2027, when he’ll be 40 years old.
2025 Members Left Off: Tyrell Hatton, Sepp Straka, Rasmus Hojgaard
