As we approach the final stretch of the 2025 golfing calendar, the selection process for the coveted Ryder Cup is gaining momentum. US team captain, Keegan Bradley, is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to assemble the finest team. Bradley’s proactive approach towards player selection, a lesson learned from his omission by Zach Johnson in 2023, has caught the attention of his European counterpart, Luke Donald.
Donald, a former champion himself, has re-assumed the reins of the European team. Notably, he has started to mirror Bradley’s technique of closely following player performances. A recent instance of this was his direct outreach to players showcasing potential, as evidenced in a post shared by @flushingitgolf on X.
The post highlighted Donald’s contact with Adrian Meronk following his victorious run in the LIV Golf Riyadh. Meronk, a professional golfer from Poland, has been in impressive form, securing a win with his 62-66-71 rounds and adding another top-15 finish at Adelaide.
Meronk was quoted in the post, mentioning Donald’s message to him: “Luke Donald texted me after my win in Riyadh and said, ‘keep playing well.’ Obviously, if I am playing well, I will be available and I want to play. But it is not my main goal. I think the focus is just to play well and see what happens.”
Despite his recent success, Meronk currently stands at the 137th spot in the Ryder Cup rankings. His participation in the major tournaments could significantly elevate his standing. As he competes in the International Series Macau, his goal is to secure a spot amongst the top three, thereby gaining an exception for the Open Championship.
However, Meronk isn’t the only LIV golfer seeking a Ryder Cup berth. Spanish professional Sergio Garcia, a former winner in Andalucia in July 2024, has been consistently impressive. His performances in 2025, including a T6 at Riyadh, T18 at Adelaide, and a victory in Hong Kong, have solidified his contention for a spot on the team.
Garcia’s aspirations are clear. He stated, “I think he’s watching,” referring to Captain Donald. He added, “We’ve been in touch, so I know that he’s keeping an eye. The only thing I can do is keep playing good golf, and I just want to help the European team like I’ve tried to do every single time I’ve been a member of that team, and hopefully, he will think I’m good enough for it.”
Historically, Garcia has been an asset to the European team, contributing significantly in 2018 and 2021. However, his absence in the last season has raised concerns about his inclusion in the 2025 squad.
Will Garcia’s consistent performances secure his place in the Ryder Cup? Or will the dynamics of the selection process play out differently? As we wait for the final decision, the golfing world remains intrigued by these developments.