ONE could be forgiven for needing a second take looking at the European team photos – because even the players are getting confused.
There is just one change in Luke Donald’s team from Rome 2023, with one identical Hojgaard twin replacing another.
This is the Europe team photo from the 2023 Ryder Cup[/caption]
The 2025 version is virtually identical[/caption]
Nicolai Hojgaard featured two years ago.
But it is his brother Rasmus who snatched the final qualifying spot for Bethpage Black and took the seat on Donald’s right in the photoshoot, as the other 11 stars stayed in the exact same positions.
But while he has slotted in seamlessly – Rasmus was in Rome even though he did not play – the adjustment of the single initial and familiar face is still taking some getting used to for Shane Lowry.
Rookie Rasmus, 24, said: “I’ve been called ‘Nicolai’ pretty much half the time by everyone.
“It happens all the time. For example, even Shane sometimes just calls me ‘Nicolai’. And then he’s like, ‘Oh, Rasmus is here.’
“It’s all right. It is what it is. I’m used to it.
“I’ve been used to it for 20 years now. So it doesn’t really bother me.
“But I think the Rome experience made it easier for me to get to know the guys a little bit better.
RYDER CUP 2025 BETTING TIPS, FREE BETS AND LATEST ODDS
“It’s been good. Good fun so far. It’s been pretty easy to get integrated into the team.”
Unsurprisingly, Lowry is not the only one to get the twins mixed up.
Ryder Cup 2025 – all the info
The Ryder Cup is back THIS WEEK as Team Europe hope to defend their crown on American soil
Luke Donald‘s team has travelled to New York ahead of the big start on Friday.
Europe has dominated the prestigious competition in the 21st century, winning eight of the 11 meetings since 2002.
But only two of those wins have come in the United States, with Team USA winning both the 2021 and 2016 competitions.
In fact, Team Europe has only won one of the four Ryder Cups held in the US – 2012 – since their win there in 2004 and Team USA enter as the odds-on bookies’ favourites.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Ryder Cup 2025…
RYDER CUP 2025 BETTING TIPS, FREE BETS AND LATEST ODDS
All the info
- Dates, time, confirmed teams and format
- How to watch the Ryder Cup
- Is there prize money?
- Ryder Cup rich list revealed
Latest news
- Fans get free food and drink… as part of $750 entry fee
- Major change to course
- McIlroy reignites DeChambeau feud days before Ryder Cup
- EXCL – I played the brutal course and embarrassed myself
- Donald aims swipe at Team USA over pay dispute
- Meet the Team Europe WAGs
- Brooklyn Beckham and Catherine Zeta-Jones star in All-stars match
Because Hojgaard hilariously revealed he and Nicolai would play tricks when growing up together in Denmark.
The five-time winner on the DP World Tour added: “We’ve never done anything crazy as such.
“But in school back in the day, we changed classes and the teacher wouldn’t notice for an hour and a half. We did that a few times.
“Anyone in the class would know that we’ve obviously changed, but the teacher wouldn’t know.”
Ryder Cup line ups
Here are the players who will be competing in the Ryder Cup…
Team Europe
- Luke Donald (C)
- Shane Lowry
- Jon Rahm
- Sepp Straka
- Viktor Hovland
- Ludvig Aberg
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Rory McIlroy
- Robert MacIntyre
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Justin Rose
- Rasmus Hojgaard
- Tyrrell Hatton
Team USA
- Keegan Bradley (C)
- Justin Thomas
- Collin Morikawa
- Ben Griffin
- Cameron Young
- Patrick Cantley
- Sam Burns
- Scottie Scheffler
- JJ Spaun
- Xander Schauffele
- Russell Henley
- Harris English
- Bryson DeChambeau
The brothers used to play pranks on teachers growing up together[/caption]
