11 players who could make their Ryder Cup debut in Rome

The Ryder Cup is fast approaching and the fight for spaces on both sides of the biennial battle is heating up nicely.

From new major champions to out-of-sorts players, Luke Donald and Zach Johnson have their work cut out in deciding who to take to Rome.

That is before accounting for the possibility of LIV golfers playing a part in September, making for one of the most uncertain selection processes in history.

While several of the more established Ryder Cup stars will take their place at Marco Simone, there is plenty of space for those yet to get involved.

So, here are 11 players who could make their Ryder Cup debut in Rome…

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Brian Harman

If there is one way to clinch your spot in the Ryder Cup, it’s surely by lifting a Claret Jug. The Open champion was a convincing six-shot winner at Royal Liverpool, as the world’s best failed to lay a glove. Harman jumped 17 places on the standings with that triumph and looks certain to waggle his way to Rome.

Robert MacIntyre

Recent form has made the Oban man hard to ignore, as he currently sits within the automatic spots on the European points list. Bob Mac will be desperate to avoid the heartbreak of missing out two years ago and become only the second left-handed European to play in the contest.

Wyndham Clark

Having been winless in 133 PGA Tour starts, it’s been a rapid rise to the top for Wyndham Clark. The 29-year-old got off the mark at the Wells Fargo Championship before pulling off a major shock at the US Open. The world No. 11 has fully solidified his spot in the Ryder Cup frame, only ranking behind Scottie Scheffler on the Team USA standings.

Sepp Straka

The Austrian looks in good stead to tackle Rome, especially after another excellent performance at the Open. Straka is a winner in back-to-back seasons on the PGA Tour and would head to the Ryder Cup riding a wave of momentum, unlike many of his opposition. He was the only player behind Harman to reach eight-under at Royal Liverpool and is comfortable on the big stage.

Max Homa

A surprise to many that a player of Homa’s quality hasn’t featured in the Ryder Cup yet, but that only highlights the strength in depth. The 32-year-old is already a six-time winner on the PGA Tour and is trending in the right direction after a T10 at the Open. Homa could be dangerous in Rome, as he won all four matches at the Presidents Cup.

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Yannik Paul

Currently one spot outside the automatic places on the European points list, the German will very much be considered by Luke Donald. The 29-year-old missed the cut at Hoylake, but was a model of consistency beforehand, making the weekend at every event since the beginning of February.

Cameron Young

Another of America’s ‘second-string’, Young undoubtedly has the quality to feature in the Ryder Cup but is yet to be selected. Young is yet to win on the PGA Tour, although has team experience from the Presidents Cup. He finished second in five events last season and could be the kind to go on a hot streak after getting off the mark.

Adrian Meronk

If Team Europe can take advantage at home, then Meronk could play a key role. The Pole won the Italian Open, held at the Ryder Cup venue, and claimed the Australian Open last December. The six-foot-six 30-year-old has a high ceiling, and his form stacks up nicely in a bid to become the first Polish Ryder Cup player.

Sam Burns

The US talent pool seems never-ending, and Sam Burns is another world-class player to have never contested the biennial match. Burns has a little bit of work to do before Zach Johnson makes up his mind, but there is no doubt he knows how to get it done, having clinched five titles on the PGA Tour.

Rasmus/Nicolai Hojgaard

The Danish twins are both in with a shout of securing one of six wildcard picks, and both will fancy their chances for different reasons. Rasmus, who won on home soil on the DP World Tour earlier this month, sits 26 spots higher on the standings than his brother. However, Nicolai has five top-ten finishes this season and tied for 23rd at the Open.

Victor Perez

The Frenchman is lurking around the top of the European and World points lists and deserves to be in with a shout. Perez boasts the all-important course form but has proved his grit in the biggest events. A win at the Abu Dhabi Championship kicked off a strong season, with a T12 at the PGA Championship a solid sign of someone in command of their game.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.