Why Luke Donald Was Right to Pick Matt Fitzpatrick

Luke Donald recently named the six players that would complete his Ryder Cup team alongside the players who gained their place automatically. His six picks were Shane Lowry, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka and Matt Fitzpatrick. It's a very confident team, with 11 players returning from 2023, the only difference is that Rasmus Hojgaard replaces his brother Nicolai. However, it is safe to say that one of these picks was met with a bit more questioning than the other five.

When Fitzpatrick was announced as the sixth pick and final member of Luke Donald's team, European fans seemed to be split completely, many confident in the Englishman's ability, but others were left disputing his place in the team. Ultimately, the question is, why did Donald pick Fitzpatrick? And who else could he have taken instead?

Has Matt Fitzpatrick’s Form Been Good Enough?

It's fair to say that at the start of this season, Fitzpatrick was quite some way off a spot in the team, following a year of poor form and low finishes. In 2024, Fitzpatrick only registered three top 10 finishes and just three more top 20 finishes, alarmingly low considering his form in seasons prior. At the start of the 2024 season, Fitzpatrick sat eighth in the world rankings, but by the start of the 2025 season he had sunk all the way to 43rd. This didn't stop here however, as by the US Open in June he was 85th in the world. If this form carried on, it is certain that Fitzpatrick would not be in this year's Ryder Cup.

Despite the US Open being his lowest place in the world rankings in the last two years; it was a few weeks prior at the PGA Championship where we saw the former US Open champion begin to find his way back to form. With a T-8th finish, Fitzpatrick had something to build upon.

As the season began to wind down to the Wyndham Championship, Fitzpatrick had just clamed three top 10 finishes in a row, one of which was at the 153rd Open where he highly competed for the top spot. Fitzpatrick finished the regular PGA Tour season at the Wyndham with yet another top 10 finish. With Donald's picks right on the doorstep, Fitzpatrick then secured two more top 10 finishes on the DP World Tour - better to be safe than sorry I suppose. After a highly successful second half of the season, Fitzpatrick had risen back up to 29th in the world rankings.

When it comes to selecting the Ryder Cup team, it is all about who is playing good right now, and Fitzpatrick most certainly is.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Is Matt Fitzpatrick’s Ryder Cup Record a Concern?

One of the main arguments against Fitzpatrick's place in the team was his previous Ryder Cup form.

In 2016, Fitzpatrick made his Ryder Cup debut, where he lost both of his foursomes matches and his singles match. Not the debut he dreamt of, I’m sure.

Fitzpatrick returned to the Ryder Cup squad in 2021, where again, he lost all his matches. Not looking great so far, it must be said.

When 2023 rolled around, Fitzpatrick must have been absolutely desperate to secure his first point, and this is where it came. Partnering with Rory McIlroy in the fourballs and defeating Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele. Ultimately however, Fitzpatrick lost his other two matches that weekend.

If this form over the years is something to be concerned about then we will soon find out, but for now, I don't think it should be investigated too deeply. Matt Fitzpatrick is in hot form right now, and that is what really matters. If Fitzpatrick plays the same game he’s been playing for the past few months, he will certainly compete for points. And ultimately, Luke Donald trusts him to get results, regardless of previous appearances. If a successful Ryder Cup captain can trust him, so can I.

Who Else Could Luke Donald Have Picked?

There were a few names who seemed to be coming up quite frequently amongst the Fitzpatrick naysayers, so let's look at who Luke Donald could have opted for.

Matt Wallace seems to be one of the top names in the discussion of players who could have been deserving of the final pick. Personally, I'm not convinced. He has had some great results over the past two years, winning the Omega European Masters in 2024, a T-3rd finish at the 3M Open and most recently a T-2nd finish at the Omega European Masters. However, with a lack of consistent results and a number of missed cuts across the last two seasons, I don't think that Wallace deserved the spot more than Fitzpatrick.

Marco Penge has had an impressive year, no doubt, and his form over the final few weeks was even more impressive. But his results just aren't convincing enough to warrant a spot on the Ryder Cup team. Despite wins and high up finishes on the DP World Tour throughout this season, not playing full time on the PGA Tour does not have me convinced. An impressive T-2nd finish at the Scottish Open does prove his capability. But Fitzpatrick is a major winner. I feel comfortable saying that I think Penge will be in the conversation again in 2027, and I think he will have a much better case come the next team selection.

If I was to choose a player to take over Fitzpatrick, I would take Harry Hall definitely. Hall demonstrated some of the best and most consistent form of all European players this season. Despite not getting a victory, there were some really impressive performances, such as his T-19th finish in the PGA Championship and his sixth-place finish at the BMW Championship. Similar to Penge, I strongly believe Hall will be in the conversation again in two years time, and I think he may come out on the better side of it next time round.

Does Ryder Cup Experience Count?

Now, one part of this whole debate that I think is massively underspoken about, is how none of these players have been to a Ryder Cup before. Yes, everyone has to have their debut Ryder Cup at some point, and if the time is right then the time is right, but making an away debut is a lot more to think about than it is at home. Luke Donald choosing Matt Fitzpatrick could purely have been a decision of experience. Rasmus Hojgaard will make his debut in New York, his performance could sway this argument completely, but it could also back it up.

Ultimately, I think Donald has made the correct decision in choosing Matt Fitzpatrick as his sixth pick for the Ryder Cup. His impressive form towards the latter stages of the season, his overall experience and his successful partnership with Rory McIlroy are all massive factors in the decision. The golfers that fell short are all great players, and there is still plenty of opportunity for them to get their chance.

Do you agree with Luke Donald's decision? Or do you think the sixth selection should have gone to someone else? Let us know.

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