Luke Donald has finalised his 12-man European Ryder Cup team for Bethpage Black, with two familiar names to Middle East golf fans taking centre stage. Both Matt Fitzpatrick and Robert MacIntyre – who sharpened their skills on the MENA Golf Tour in their formative years – are now established stars and key figures in Donald’s line-up to take on the United States from September 26-28.

Donald confirmed his six Captain’s Picks as Ludvig Åberg, Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka, who join the six automatic qualifiers: Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Rasmus Højgaard, MacIntyre, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose.

The selection means 11 of the 12 players who delivered Europe’s memorable 16½ – 11½ victory in Rome return for another tilt, with only Højgaard making his debut on American soil.

For Dubai golf enthusiasts, the story is especially poignant. Fitzpatrick, now a Major champion and three-time Ryder Cup player, cut his teeth in the Middle East on the MENA Tour before his rise to the very top. Similarly, Scotland’s MacIntyre – whose fearless left-handed game has seen him become one of Europe’s most reliable performers – also used the MENA circuit as a launchpad before breaking through on the DP World Tour and cementing his Ryder Cup place.

Donald acknowledged the blend of youth, talent and experience in his team:

“We are a settled and united group with a strong culture. A different challenge requires different thinking and strategies, but I’m excited to have our 12 players confirmed. Together, we are focused on retaining the Ryder Cup in New York and creating history.”

As Europe prepares for the hostile atmosphere of Bethpage Black, the MENA Golf Tour can take pride in knowing that two of its alumni are now pillars of one of sport’s greatest stages.