The DP World Tour schedule is gaining momentum, with numerous PGA Tour competitors now eligible to participate in some of its most prominent events. With upcoming tournaments at the K Club for the Irish Open and Wentworth for the BMW PGA Championship, recognized as the circuit’s premier competition, the DP World Tour anticipates the return of many familiar faces as they gear up for the Ryder Cup in late September.
Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, and Tyrrell Hatton are slated to appear at the 2025 Irish Open, alongside European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald. McIlroy is currently favored at better than 4-1 odds, while Lowry is positioned fourth at 16-1, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Currently, 11 out of the 12 players from the European team are scheduled to compete in the BMW PGA Championship the following week, with Sepp Straka being the only exception due to the recent addition to his family.
Two years prior, Europe collectively established a strong presence at the BMW PGA Championship, with almost every team member vying for contention in their final appearance before the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone. McIlroy shared his perspective on why exposure to high-pressure situations can only be advantageous.
“I am eager to put myself in a position to contend and be somewhat sharper than I was at the BMW and the Tour Championship,” he stated. “I believe I rectified my ball striking in Atlanta. I felt my ball striking was subpar at the BMW, but my putting was effective. Conversely, in Atlanta, my ball striking was improved, but my putting suffered. Thus, I aim to integrate all aspects effectively.
“These upcoming weeks are crucial for refining my game, and the only definitive way to assess sharpness is to contend under pressure and perform well during the critical stages on Sunday. It is essential to achieve this. It is important to grant myself multiple opportunities to secure a victory. Ultimately, securing a win would be ideal, but it’s not entirely necessary leading into the Ryder Cup. However, it would be beneficial to feel confident about my game as we approach Bethpage [Black].”
McIlroy has consistently expressed his ambition to win a Ryder Cup on American soil since the winner’s press conference in Rome. The eight-time participant was a member of the last European team to accomplish this feat in 2012 at Medinah, positioning him as the most experienced player on either side in this upcoming Ryder Cup.
Europe will rely on this experience as it welcomes back 11 of the 12 players from the victorious team in 2023. Players such as Robert MacIntyre have progressed from Ryder Cup rookies to major championship contenders and are being considered for expanded roles. Lowry is similarly regarded as a seasoned player, set to participate in his third consecutive Ryder Cup, his second in the United States.
“I believe we have the same team composition as last time, and I also believe that every player has improved,” Lowry noted. “Therefore, I think we have a stronger chance. However, it will be challenging. It’s not as simple as replicating our success from Rome, as there are numerous different challenges, and the golf course presents different characteristics. The golf course in Rome was perfectly suited to our team, not only in terms of its setup with the rough and the greens but also in how the course played for foursomes and four-ball matches, which suited our pairings effectively. So, I’m uncertain if they intend to alter that.
“But yes, I think our team is highly accomplished. Many of the players are performing well. I’m very excited for Bethpage. I played exceptionally well in the last few rounds there previously, but it will present a different challenge for the Ryder Cup. It will likely not be as physically demanding. It will be interesting to observe. That’s where the practice trip will be invaluable for the team to assess how the golf course is configured. It will be beneficial for us to play it twice during that week.”
With his team largely unchanged, Donald is implementing a similar preparation strategy. He will spearhead a scouting excursion to Bethpage Black after the BMW PGA Championship concludes. Europe will arrange a flight to New York, where the team intends to play Bethpage Black over two days.
“I don’t anticipate the golf course to be set up like a U.S. Open,” Donald clarified. “These are undeniably 12 world-class players who understand how to properly prepare themselves and allocate adequate time for a significant event like the Ryder Cup. I don’t interfere with that. They have their team. They comprehend the optimal practice methods.
“We will furnish them with a comprehensive statistical blueprint outlining our perception of the course’s demands, historical trends, and potential areas of focus, which they can utilize as they see fit. However, individually, it’s the responsibility of them and their teams to determine how they wish to be primed for that week.”
Donald’s strategy involves keeping his team in the United States within the same time zone upon arrival to ensure his 12 players are well-rested and free from any effects of jet lag – an issue he observed impacting the United States team two years prior.
