Earlier this year, talking about his possible chances in the U.S. team for the Ryder Cup, Patrick Reed said, “It is always on my radar, the Ryder Cup. Making that team.” However, for a golfer who is looking to join the team after 7 years, he is not there yet. Currently ranked 23rd in the Ryder Cup rankings with 2579.99 points, the 2025 season may be the third time he misses a spot in the team. Beyond that, however, he is performing moderately. In his 11 appearances so far, his best came at the Masters (3). And while Reed’s chances of making it to the Ryder Cup team feel slim, another golfer is already on the radar to play at Bethpage this year.
“You guys probably changed my life from today, so thanks for that,” said Eugenio Chacarra after winning the 2025 Hero Indian Open, and little did he know he was predicting the future. What made this victory sweeter was the fact that Chacarra had just been shown the door by Sergio Garcia, being left off the Fireballs roster for 2025 – a slight that now looks like it was more of a shortsighted swing than a strategic play. “I know when I play my best, I’m one of the best players in the world, I’ve already proved that a million times,” Chacarra said with confidence, and with a win like this under his belt, he’s surely catching someone’s eye – perhaps a certain captain’s?
Per Bunkered’s Ben Parsons, Luke Donald, the European Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup, has his eyes set on Chacarra. Donald is keeping tabs on the golfer after his impressive win at the DLF Golf and Country Club in India. “Everyone’s on the radar. Anyone European who wins, I’m always sending them a message of congratulations. Winning on a difficult course in India (DLF), that shows a lot, and we’ll keep an eye on him.”
Well, the Gary Player-designed course is considered the toughest in India for a reason. The course is home to some of the toughest holes on the Asian Tour, like the 14th, 16th, and 18th, and well, a LIV superstar also agrees that the course is tough – we’re talking Bryson DeChambeau. The golfer ranked DLF Golf and Country Club as the second-toughest course he’s played, right after Mayakoba in Mexico, saying, “Without doubt, it is right up there,” and noting that DLF demands precise ball striking due to its tight tee boxes and visually intimidating layout. It’s “a tough test of golf, one that exposes any weaknesses in your game,” he said.
Luke Donald on Eugenio Chacarra’s form:
“Everyone’s on the radar. Anyone European who wins, I’m always sending them a message of congratulations. Winning on a difficult course in India (DLF), that shows a lot and we’ll keep an eye on him.” pic.twitter.com/n8ZVZ9RxGP
— Ben Parsons (@_benparsons) May 8, 2025
Well, when Donald says he keeps a check on the European golfers, he really means it, but his check-in messages are not limited to victories only.
Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald reaches out to Justin Rose after the Masters heartbreak
Luke Donald, Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, reached out to Justin Rose after his agonizing loss at the Masters. Rose was runner-up to Rory McIlroy in the playoff, despite playing a remarkable final round with 10 birdies. Donald said, “It was a difficult message to write… There was so much good stuff in what he did. Ten birdies on a Sunday at Augusta is pretty amazing.” Donald acknowledged Rose’s vast experience would be valuable for the Ryder Cup team.
Donald also highlighted the positives for the Ryder Cup team, noting the emergence of top contenders like McIlroy, Rose, and Ludvig Aberg. “I was happy anyway… It was nice to end the run of seven consecutive US major winners.” With Rose’s experience, he’s fancied to lead Europe as captain at Ireland’s Adare Manor in 2027. Donald praised Rose, saying, “He’s done a lot of great things. He’s still one of the world’s best.”
Rose reflected on his Masters experience, saying, “Having been in that situation before and even more this time, I could really sense what it would be like to win it… I certainly don’t feel down in any way, shape or form because of the performance I was able to put in and how I was able to feel putting in that performance, but – I don’t know what the right word is – tormented probably by the thought of what might have been.”
Do you think Donald’s acknowledgment of Rose’s hard work will eventually land him a spot in the Ryder Cup team? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
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