By Ryder Cup Europe On September 2, 2025 10:00 UTC
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, 2025.
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 1up in the final Sunday singles match, as Europe triumphed 17½-10½ over the United States.
The 43 year old Swede 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.”
Captain 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 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.”
Outside the Ryder Cup arena, Alex Noren has claimed 11 DP World Tour titles, most recently at the Betfred British Masters last month, a tournament he won for the second time.
Noren has also been a consistent and dependable presence for Team Europe in professional team competitions, contributing to multiple victories across different formats. He made his debut at the Royal Trophy in 2010, followed by appearances in the Seve Trophy (2011) and World Cup of Golf (2011, 2016), proudly representing Sweden on the global stage. He played a key role in Europe’s victory at the 2018 EurAsia Cup, setting the tone for a standout year in team golf.
Later that season, Noren earned his place at the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris – a career-defining moment. He contributed two points from three matches, teaming up with Sergio Garcia for a commanding 5&4 win over Phil Mickelson and DeChambeau in the Friday foursomes, before the pair lost 3&2 to Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson on Saturday. Noren then secured a memorable 1up victory over DeChambeau in the Sunday singles, helping seal Europe’s emphatic win.
His most recent team appearance came at the 2023 Hero Cup, where he once again played a valuable role in Continental Europe’s victory.