Players reveal insight into Team Europe’s practice day at Adare Manor
Jon Rahm, Justin Rose and Alex Noren revealed insight into Team Europe's practice day at Adare Manor as Captain Luke Donald brought together a mix of established Ryder Cup members and emerging contenders to the 2027 Ryder Cup venue as part of early preparations.
Fifteen players travelled from Trump International Golf Links, Doonbeg, on Sunday evening, including ten members of Europe’s victorious 2025 team, Alex Noren, 2023 Ryder Cup player Nicolai Højgaard, and four potential rookies— Eugenio Chacarra, Kristoffer Reitan, Alex Fitzpatrick and Ángel Ayora. Shane Lowry, who claimed the Amgen Irish Open by a record 11 strokes on Sunday evening, joined them later.
After dinner and an initial briefing from Donald, the group played 18 holes on Monday in four groups of four, giving players a first look at the course and a chance to connect before heading to Wentworth for the BMW PGA Championship.
Speaking on Tuesday, Jon Rahm said that he felt the visit was valuable not only for seeing Adare Manor in its current form, but for reinforcing team culture and giving newcomers an early sense of the Ryder Cup environment.
“Any time I'm asked to go to Adare Manor, I'm going to go happily and willingly,” he said.
“It's one of the best hotel golf course experiences there is in the world. It was a lot of fun. Obviously some Ryder Cup members, some possible prospects for the Ryder Cup. It was very enjoyable.
“I think those days are great for all of us to see each other and just in a way remember why we do what we do. But for people that have never been involved in anything Ryder Cup related, I think it's great to get a little bit of an example of what things may look like and what things may be like. So for those players that have never been there before, I think it's just getting those first nerves out of the way of what things may — how they may feel I think is very, very important.”
Rahm also noted the course’s condition and recent changes, revealing discussions with Donald and the vice‑captains added useful context just over a year out from the 2027 event.
“As far as for me, for all we knew, they re‑grassed the place. They went from European rye to American rye, if I'm correct. With the good weather they've had in Europe, in Ireland, it was in as good a shape as I've ever seen it. It was actually firm. I mean, they could have had it as fast as they wanted to. It wasn't overly fast because obviously I think they want the public to still enjoy the week. It was in perfect condition. It was immaculate. Obviously talking to Luke and the vice captains about what changes they made to the golf course, but it was a lot of fun.”
Justin Rose echoed Rahm’s view that the trip was more about culture‑setting than gaining any competitive advantage, and said the blend of experience and fresh energy will be important as Europe builds toward 2027.
“Any time you get to go to Adare Manor, it's a pretty great experience,” he said.
“It was, it was a lovely sort of boys' day out in the sense of, you know, we got together, had a nice dinner. I guess there was some intention setting of, you know, what it, it means to be on the team, and what the plans are going forward. And, but then yeah, the round itself yesterday was very casual and very fun, and just a first look at the golf course. But pretty much having Adare Manor to yourself is a pretty special experience.
“It doesn't necessarily feel like a, a game‑changing trip that, oh wow, we have an advantage or anything. But I think it's very important just in sort of culture setting and, and, and all that type of stuff.”
Speaking on the four rookies that were invited, Rose felt the trip will have inspired those players, adding that he believes Europe is well-positioned to integrate new faces into the team next year.
“Probably lights the fire even more in them to want to be a part of that team, and obviously gives them the comfort to feel like they're already part of the team in the sort of sense of Luke's thoughts and everybody, in the way of doing things, and how the captain goes about it.
“I'd imagine that you'd look at three being sort of like the spread, I would say, maybe three new faces, maybe two and a half new faces. I don't know if three is a lot and two is too many, but it's sort of in that ballpark. There's plenty of opportunity for guys to break through. I think the transition from Whistling Straits into Rome was fantastic, and I think that only strengthened into solidifying some of those players that stepped into that role into Bethpage. There's so many good young players, like the Højgaards, Ludvig, even Bob. Those guys are now real stalwarts of the team going forward. I feel like there has been a great transition in Europe. So we can afford another new batch of youngsters to come in.”
For Alex Noren, who was part of the 2018 winning European Team at Le Golf National in Paris and a Vice Captain in 2025, it was a motivational reminder of the magic of the Ryder Cup..
"When I was there yesterday, it hits you how like amazing Ryder Cup is, and I thought the venue was spectacular. I've never seen a place like it.
"To have a year to see if I can improve in all areas of the game and be part of that team would be amazing, and it was very -- firstly, I thought it was smart of Luke to gather all the players there. Second, it made it kind of even more sort of like a goal for everybody, I think.
"Some players obviously know they will be there, but for everybody else, it was a really tempting goal just to see the place and then imagine it in one year.
:"I spoke to Garland and the other officials, and the strategy around setting up the course is very different from when they have a lot of data from the Tour.
"Yeah, it's a very difficult task to set that up, I think, to our advantage. We'll see how they do. It's the course and the resources where you can set it up pretty much however you want, like you can grow in the rough, you can expand, and you can use tee boxes. It's like not particularly a blank sheet of paper, but you can do whatever you want preparation-wise."
