The Japan Times - Europe Ryder Cup team profiles

Here, AFP Sport takes a look at the European team for the 44th edition of the event at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club:

Rory McIlroy (NIR)

World ranking: 2

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021

Ryder Cup record (wins, losses, halves): 12-12-4

-- McIlroy is the most experienced player on either team, playing in his seventh Ryder Cup. The four-time major champion will be keen for redemption after breaking down in tears following a disappointing performance in Europe's 19-9 thrashing by the USA at Whistling Straits two years ago.

Jon Rahm (ESP)

World ranking: 3

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2018, 2021

Ryder Cup record: 4-3-1

-- The reigning Masters champion was a rare bright spark for Europe in 2021, winning 3.5 points. He burst onto the Ryder Cup scene with a memorable singles victory over Tiger Woods in 2018. Rahm has been in fine form this year, winning four PGA Tour titles.

Viktor Hovland (NOR)

World ranking: 4

Previous Ryder Cup appearance: 2021

Ryder Cup record: 0-3-2

-- Hovland is arguably the world's most in-form player after his back-to-back titles last month in the BMW Championship and Tour Championship during the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup play-offs. The 26-year-old also won the prestigious Memorial Tournament earlier this year and finished tied for second behind Brooks Koepka at the PGA Championship.

Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG)

World ranking: 8

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2016, 2021

Ryder Cup record: 0-5-0

-- The former US Open winner will be desperate to get his first Ryder Cup point on the board following five straight defeats across his previous two appearances. Fitzpatrick is playing in his first home Ryder Cup after missing out on the 2018 matches in France.

Tyrrell Hatton (ENG)

World ranking: 11

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2018, 2021

Ryder Cup record: 2-4-1

-- Hatton has climbed 15 places in the world rankings in 2023 and comes into the Ryder Cup in strong form after a runner-up finish at the European Tour's flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. He was part of Thomas Bjorn's victorious European team five years ago.

Tommy Fleetwood (ENG)

World ranking: 13

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2018, 2021

Ryder Cup record: 4-2-2

-- Fleetwood will be full of confidence after posting five top-10s in his last six events. The 32-year-old's partnership with Italian Francesco Molinari was the catalyst for Europe's win in 2018 as the pair won all four of their matches together.

Sepp Straka (AUT)

World ranking: 22

Rookie

-- The big-hitting Austrian has recently established himself on the PGA Tour, winning titles in each of the past two years. Straka was also a runner-up to Brian Harman at the British Open in July.

Shane Lowry (IRL)

World ranking: 34

Previous Ryder Cup appearance: 2021

Ryder Cup record: 1-2-0

-- Lowry needed a captain's pick from Donald after a largely disappointing season. The former British Open champion responded to his selection with a timely tied-third finish at the Irish Open earlier this month.

Justin Rose (ENG)

World ranking: 37

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018

Ryder Cup record: 13-8-2

-- Rose is a three-time Ryder Cup winner and the oldest member of the European team at 43. The former world number one missed out on a pick from Padraig Harrington for Whistling Straits but returns in the absences of fellow Ryder Cup stalwarts Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter who joined Saudi-backed LIV Golf. Rose has an excellent Ryder Cup record and his thrilling victory over Phil Mickelson was a key moment in the 2012 'Miracle at Medinah'.

Robert MacIntyre (SCO)

World ranking: 55

Rookie

-- Just the second left-hander to play for Europe, MacIntyre secured the last automatic qualification place via the European points list. He will be the first Scot to feature at a Ryder Cup since Stephen Gallacher in 2014.

Ludvig Aberg (SWE)

World ranking: 80

Rookie

-- The 23-year-old only turned professional in June but has already risen from outside the world's top 3,000 at the start of the year into the top 80. Aberg helped force selection from Donald with victory at the European Masters. He will be the first golfer to appear at a Ryder Cup without ever playing at a major championship.

Nicolai Hojgaard (DEN)

World ranking: 82

Rookie

-- Hojgaard racked up top-five finishes in the last two qualifying events to help earn a captain's pick. The 22-year-old was selected ahead of several hopefuls, including his twin brother Rasmus.

K.Okada--JT