Ryder Cup diary: Shane Lowry the leading culprit as Højgaard faces initial hurdles

Elsewhere Gianfranco Zola’s presence as part of the European entourage here emerged Tuesday in a “that’s not who I think it is, is it?” kind of way.

LEADING CULPRIT: Shane Lowry during a practice round before the 2025 Ryder Cup. Pic: Vaughn Ridley/Sportsfile.

The syrupy sentimentality and clichégasm that surrounds this show every two years is inescapable. The spirit of Seve and all the rest. History, tradition and identity are referred to constantly.

When it comes to the latter, Luke Donald can claim to have leaned into what is literally a winning DNA. Having selected 11 of the 12 who triumphed in Rome, the captain swapped one Højgaard, Rasmus, in for his twin brother, Nicolai.