Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood have officially clinched automatic qualification for Team Europe’s 2025 Ryder Cup squad, joining Rory McIlroy as confirmed members for the biennial showdown at Bethpage Black, New York, from September 26–28. Their standout performances at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis solidified their places, leaving three automatic qualification spots up for grabs and six captain’s picks for European captain Luke Donald to finalize his 12-man roster.
Rose, 45, sealed his seventh Ryder Cup appearance with a dramatic victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, defeating U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun, who qualified for the American team, in a gripping three-hole playoff to claim his 12th PGA Tour title.
The Englishman’s final-round 66, highlighted by six birdies in his last eight holes, propelled him to 16-under and vaulted him to second in the European Ryder Cup standings with 1519.62 points.
Rose’s clutch performance under pressure, coupled with his runner-up finish at the 2025 Masters, underscored his enduring class and Ryder Cup pedigree.
Reporting for duty Captain! 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/b15lQx1Vog
— Justin ROSE (@JustinRose99) August 11, 2025
“Reporting for duty, Captain!” Rose posted on X, sharing an image of himself celebrating a past Ryder Cup putt, a nod to his invaluable experience from winning teams in 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2023.
Fleetwood, 34, secured his fourth consecutive Ryder Cup berth despite a bittersweet outcome at TPC Southwind. Holding a one-shot lead entering the final round, the Southport native faltered with a bogey on the 17th, missing the playoff by a stroke to finish T3 at 15-under alongside Scottie Scheffler. His 1314.61 points in the European standings, bolstered by nine top-10 finishes worldwide since August 2024, including a T2 at the Travelers Championship and a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, confirmed his spot.
“Yes!! Very proud,” Fleetwood wrote on X, tempering the disappointment of another near-miss for his first PGA Tour win in his 162nd start.
Yes!!! Very proud @RyderCupEurope 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/d0WRQK8KR0
— Tommy Fleetwood (@TommyFleetwood1) August 11, 2025
Captain Luke Donald praised both players, saying, “I’m delighted to welcome Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood to Team Europe for Bethpage.
“Justin’s experience, leadership, and proven Ryder Cup pedigree will be invaluable, and his recent victory in America underlines the form and confidence he will bring to New York.
“Tommy brings passion, consistency, and an outstanding match-play record, and he has shown time and again that he thrives in the team environment of the Ryder Cup.”
Rose and Fleetwood join McIlroy, who locked in his eighth Ryder Cup appearance earlier this year after a Masters victory and a T2 at the Scottish Open, amassing 3440.78 points. The trio forms a formidable core for Team Europe, which aims to secure a rare away victory following their dominant 2023 triumph in Rome.
McIlroy, a linchpin with a 4-1 record in 2023, will likely anchor the team in all five sessions, while Rose’s veteran presence and Fleetwood’s 67% Ryder Cup win rate, highlighted by his iconic 2023 Rome moment—bolster Europe’s chances.
Three automatic qualification spots remain, with the qualification period ending after the Betfred British Masters on August 24.
As of August 11, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre (1375.94 points), England’s Tyrrell Hatton (1279.33 points), and Austria’s Sepp Straka (1264.27 points) occupy the final three spots. However, Ireland’s Shane Lowry (1243.11 points), Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard (1150.91 points), and Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg (1063.11 points) are within striking distance, setting up a tense race at the British Masters.
After the automatic qualifiers are finalized, Donald will announce his six captain’s picks on September 1. Players like Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, and Matt Fitzpatrick, who are outside the top six, are strong contenders for picks due to their Ryder Cup experience and recent form. Rahm, despite his LIV Golf affiliation, has posted three top-15 major finishes in 2025, while Hovland’s T3 at the U.S. Open and Aberg’s Genesis Invitational win make them near-locks.
Europe’s team is taking shape as a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars, with Rose, Fleetwood, and McIlroy setting the tone. As the qualification window closes, all eyes turn to the British Masters and Donald’s impending picks, with Team Europe poised to challenge a formidable U.S. squad led by Scheffler, Spaun, and Xander Schauffele.
