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Donald opts for experience in Team Europe wildcard picks for the Ryder Cup

Team Europe will have their most settled team in Ryder Cup history after captain Luke Donald announced his wildcard picks.

Europe will have just one new player from their 2023 Ryder Cup team after captain Luke Donald revealed his wildcard picks.

Donald chose Shane Lowry, John Rahm, Sepp Straka, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick as his wildcard picks, with all six players featuring in Europe's win in Roma two years ago.

They will be joined at Bethpage Black this year by automatic qualifiers Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton, and Rasmus Hojgaard, who replaces twin brother Nicolai as the only change from 2023.

This is the lowest number of changes made to a team since the Ryder Cup was altered in 1979 to allow European players to compete, with Europe previously averaging five changes every two years.

"There is a lot of continuity from Rome, that is a bit unusual, but shows how good they are," said Donald on Sky Sports.

"But while there is continuity, this is a different animal to play away in America. We know how difficult it is. I have looked at lots of different angles to try to prepare us for the challenge ahead.

"It is about implementing new techniques. I am aware we have lost three of the past four away Ryder Cups by significant margins.

"I have tried everything I can to give my team the best opportunity."

Europa will be seeking their first Ryder Cup win on American soil since the 'Miracle of Medinah' in 2012, with this year's competition starting on September 26.

United States captain Keegan Bradley announced his six wildcard picks last week and opted not to include himself as a player despite finishing 11th on their ranking list.

Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantley and Sam Burns were chosen to join automatic qualifiers Scottie Scheffler, JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English and Bryson DeChambeau.

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