Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy will surely be back for the 2027 Ryder Cup (Image: Getty)
Team Europe managed to bring the Ryder Cup back across the Atlantic, despite the boisterous crowds of Bethpage Black and a late surge from the American team. It’s never too early to ponder their odds of securing a third consecutive title. Speculation is rife about who will captain the USA with the idea of Tiger Woods having been floated. Having made just one change to its 2025 squad, Europe boasts a robust backbone and may only face one or two uncertainties ahead of a home Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland.
The United States might need to do a bit more guesswork as they aim to dodge three consecutive losses and seize the country’s first away Ryder Cup victory since 1993. Express Sport takes a very early glimpse at who might be involved come 2027…
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Team USA
NEAR LOCKS: Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Cameron Young
Despite Scheffler and DeChambeau’s Ryder Cup struggles, it’s difficult to envisage either dropping far enough in two years to be off the team. Schauffele and Thomas have both become mainstays as well.
Young was a delightful surprise as a captain’s pick and he seems to have navigated life on the PGA Tour over the last few years and was a standout at Bethpage.
PROBABLY IN: Keegan Bradley, Patrick Cantlay, Ben Griffin, Collin Morikawa
Bradley’s selection in the squad is likely due to his captaincy role. His dynamism on the pitch could be a boon if he maintains his solid performances.
Both Cantlay and Morikawa struggled at Bethpage and need a couple of victories and improved performances in major tournaments to secure their return. Griffin demonstrated his ability to cope with pressure by securing a singles victory.
ON THE BUBBLE: Akshay Bhatia, Sam Burns, Russell Henley, Maverick McNealy, J.J. Spaun, Jordan Spieth, Sahith Theegala
Scheffler, Thomas and Young will be among the favorites for the 2027 squad (Image: Getty)
Spaun proved his mettle under pressure but needs to maintain his career-best form. Henley didn’t do himself any favours by squandering his late lead against Shane Lowry and only earning half a point, his sole contribution to the weekend, but his overall good form keeps him in the discussion.
Burns has strong relationships with other players but performed poorly at Bethpage. McNealy narrowly missed out this year as Bradley opted for other captain’s picks.
Bhatia and Theegala are on the verge of making their mark on the tour and in the Ryder Cup picture. Spieth, once a mainstay, needs to demonstrate he’s back in top form.
LONGSHOTS: Wyndham Clark, Harris English, Rickie Fowler, Brian Harman, Max Homa, Billy Horschel, Brooks Koepka, Andrew Novak
English’s performance at Bethpage was one to forget, but he still might be able to claw his way into the field. Horschel, with his Presidents Cup experience, could be a vibrant energy pick if he recovers from a major injury.
Novak came close to qualifying on points, but his performance in majors has been lacklustre. Koepka, Clark, Fowler, Homa and Harman all have experience, but their prime golfing days seem to be behind them.
SLEEPERS: Luke Clanton, Nick Dunlap, Chris Gotterup, Jackson Koivun, Gordon Sargent
Gotterup demonstrated his full potential by winning the Scottish Open and finishing third at the Open Championship. Despite struggling in 2025, Dunlap, who is only 21, already has two wins under his belt. Clanton, Koivun and Sargent have been among the world’s top amateurs in recent years.
The ‘Fleetwood Mac’ pairing has proven to be formidable at the Ryder Cup (Image: Getty)
Team Europe
NEAR LOCKS: Ludvig Aberg, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Rory McIlroy
These players have become the pillars of this team until further notice, led by the experience and skill of McIlroy and Fleetwood, Lowry’s energy and the youthfulness of Aberg and Hovland. It would be a shocker if any of these players missed the 2027 event.
PROBABLY IN: Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrell Hatton
Rahm and Hatton would be certain picks if not for their LIV Golf status. They played in 2025 after appealing rulings that would have kept them off the team.
Fitzpatrick needed a very strong last few events to convince Luke Donald he was worth bringing back. He was solid at Bethpage and should be involved in Ireland.
Justin Rose will have to hold off Father Time to keep his Ryder Cup spot (Image: Getty)
ON THE BUBBLE: Thomas Detry, Nicolai Hojgaard, Rasmus Hojgaard, Robert MacIntyre, Marco Penge, Aaron Rai, Justin Rose, Sepp Straka
Rose is likely to be on the team if he’s in form and keen to play, but at 47 by 2027, he may not be at his peak. Straka, MacIntrye and the Hojgaard twins all have a wealth of experience and are favourites to complete the squad if they’re performing well.
If a spot becomes available, Detry or Rai could be next in line if they maintain their form.
LONGSHOTS: Harry Hall, Sergio Garcia, John Parry, Ian Poulter, Jordan Smith, Matt Wallace
Garcia and Poulter were once sure bets for this team before leaving for LIV and would seize the opportunity to return should their circumstances change. Hall, Parry, Smith and Wallace don’t quite have the major results needed to be considered over those above at this stage.
SLEEPERS: Tom McKibbin, Luke Poulter, David Puig, Kristoffer Reitan
McKibbin and Puig’s LIV status complicates matters, but both are rising stars who may end up on European teams sooner rather than later. Reitan has been improving each year and clinched his first European Tour victory in 2025.
Poulter is still at university and probably a few editions away, but the son of the Ryder Cup legend has been around the tournament for much of his life and will certainly be striving to make the squad.
