Team Europe captain Luke Donald has named Alex Noren as his fifth and final Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup which will be played at Bethpage Black, New York, USA from September 26-28.
Noren was a key part of Team Europe’s 2018 victory at Le Golf National in Paris, France, securing two points from three matches – including a memorable 40-foot putt on the 18th green to defeat Bryson DeChambeau in the final Sunday singles match, as Europe triumphed 17½-10½ over the United States.
The 43-year-old Swede, who won last month’s Betfred British Masters, joins brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari, Thomas Bjørn and José María Olazábal in Donald’s completed backroom team as Team Europe aims to retain the Ryder Cup in New York.
Noren said: “It was a big shock when I found out. I didn’t expect it at all. I want to bring a good attitude to the team room. Bring some knowledge. I’ve been in this game a long time. This Ryder Cup is going to be one of the toughest ones to win because of where it is. It’s going to be a very tough crowd, but I think that can feed our players as well.
“All of us who are part of the team have played a lot in America, so we’re used to the fans, we’re used to the courses, the course setups. We don’t get to be part of team events that often. We all know how much it means for everybody who’s part of it, and who has played on it and we’re looking forward to it.”
Donald said: “I’m really delighted to announce Alex Noren as our final Vice Captain. Alex brings a lot to the table, he is obviously a Ryder Cup player himself, having played in 2018 in France, and he has played on both the DP World Tour and the PGA TOUR at a very high level. I am excited to have him on board with the team and he just couldn’t have been happier, more honoured, to take the role.
“He will do everything that he can to help the team. He’s a humble guy, it’s never about Alex. It’s always about the team and I just think he has great characteristics, which will be vital for his role as a Vice Captain. I love Alex’s demeanour, his work ethic, how he goes about things. He prepares as well as anyone when it comes to his golf. And you know that is important.
“There’s a bond there with some of the Scandinavian players on our team, but he gets along so well with everyone. He is a good friend of mine, we practise together at the Bears Club where other players who are going to be on that team also practise. So he has a great familiarity with a lot of the guys and I think that’s really useful.
“It’s full steam ahead now. I’m extremely excited to have everything in place, the last pieces of the puzzle. The team is set, the VCs are set, and we’re ready to go.”