In an unexpected twist that feels like a sequel, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has assembled a nearly identical squad for the upcoming showdown at Bethpage Black — even down to the matching surnames!

On Monday, Donald officially revealed his 12-player lineup, and it came with little surprise. Eleven of the twelve champions who cruised to a breathtaking victory in Rome two years ago will be back, with the only change being the swap of one Hojgaard brother: Nicolai out, Rasmus in. Notably, Rasmus had already made a splash as part of the team’s non-playing staff earlier this year.

While Keegan Bradley’s captain picks sparked wild speculation in the lead-up, Donald’s choices were refreshingly straightforward. He brought back the stars who ranked Nos. 7-11 in the points standings, including Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland, and Matt Fitzpatrick. For his last pick, Donald went all the way to No. 24, securing the inclusion of none other than two-time major champion Jon Rahm.

"Jon really sets the standard for us," Donald stated, channeling the essence of the Ryder Cup’s legacy. "He knows what it stands for and aims to honor the legendary Spanish players who paved the way." Rahm, equally excited, echoed this sentiment, describing Bethpage as "a special place" with vocal New York fans — and admitting the challenge of improving their U.S. performance from the last outing.

It's worth noting that the home team has triumphed in eight out of the last nine Ryder Cups, making this match even more critical.

Both Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton are navigating some hurdles after being fined by the DP World Tour for playing in LIV events, yet they are still set to compete this year.

This season has seen Straka, Åberg, and Hovland raising their games with multiple PGA Tour victories, while Lowry and Fitzpatrick notched nine top-10 finishes combined. Rahm has also solidified his status, defending his title as the LIV individual champion.

One emotional moment came as Englishman Matt Wallace narrowly missed out on selection, prompting tears after a near victory at the DP World Tour’s European Masters. It’s unclear whether a victory could have swayed Donald’s decision but the 35-year-old was left crushed.

Rasmus Hojgaard, the only rookie on the team, has proven himself by racking up Ryder Cup points through impressive finishes in late 2022, confirmed recently with a strong showing at the British Masters.

This lineup is notable for featuring just one rookie, a rarity that hasn’t occurred since 2012, highlighting the seamless continuity from their victorious outing in Rome.

"Having so many players return is unusual but reflects their exceptional talent, yet we recognize that playing on U.S. soil presents a unique challenge," Donald reflected.

As the countdown continues, both teams are prepping for the Ryder Cup with series of warm-up events. Expect plenty of action as 11 U.S. players prepare for the PGA Tour's Procore Championship while the European side is gearing up for the prestigious BMW PGA Championship.

Mark your calendars! The Ryder Cup runs from September 26-28, 2023, in Farmingdale, New York.