WAGs behind Team Europe: the partners shaping the Ryder Cup squad at Bethpage Black

The Ryder Cup returns this weekend at Bethpage Black in New York as Team Europe seeks to defend the trophy they captured in Rome two years ago. Led by captain Luke Donald, Europe has named what is widely regarded as the least-changed roster in Ryder Cup history, with Rasmus Hojgaard the only newcomer, replacing Nicolai Hojgaard through the ranking system. Hojgaard joins six automatic qualifiers—Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Tyrrell Hatton—and six wildcard selections: Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Åberg and Matt Fitzpatrick, who were part of Europe’s 16.5–11.5 win in Rome. While much attention centers on the 12 players, the wives, partners and companions behind the scenes are also in the spotlight as they travel with the team to New York.

Emily Braisher, Tyrell Hatton’s wife, is one of the most visible WAGs in this group. A former beauty pageant contestant, Braisher has immersed herself in golf culture, chronicling life on tour through her blog and social media. She has been photographed with Hatton during past Ryder Cups, including Europe’s win in Paris in 2018. The couple wed in 2021 in Asheville, North Carolina, a ceremony marked by the typical on-tour delay and a weather-driven photoshoot that Hatton later described with a touch of humor. Braisher’s daily presence on tour, from travel logistics to family moments, has made her a familiar figure among fans watching the European side.

Kelley Cahill, Jon Rahm’s wife, met Rahm during their freshman year at Arizona State University in 2012. The couple married in 2019 in Rahm’s hometown of Bilbao and have three children together. Cahill has supported Rahm as he rose to the top tier of men’s golf, with their family life forming a steady backdrop to Rahm’s ascent.

Clare Craig is not only Tommy Fleetwood’s partner but also his agent, reflecting a long-standing working relationship that has blended into their personal life. The couple reportedly began dating after meeting through Fleetwood’s brother, Joe, who previously worked with Craig at Hambric Sports Management. They wed in 2017 and have a son, Franklin, born that year, while Craig also has two stepsons from a previous relationship who regularly attend his tournaments.

Paige Dean is Sepp Straka’s partner. A trained accountant turned acquisitions professional, Dean met Straka while they were students at rival universities, with Straka proposing in 2020 and the couple marrying a year later. They have a son, Leo, born two years after their wedding, and the pair have nurtured a family atmosphere that travels with Straka on tour.

Katherine Gaal, Matt Fitzpatrick’s wife, hails from the Penn State area and has competed in pageantry herself, finishing as a runner-up in Miss New Jersey USA in 2013. Gaal later moved into regional marketing work, including a role with a data software company. The couple became engaged in 2023 and married the following year, sharing a life that blends professional and family responsibilities on and off the course.

Shannon Hartley, Robert MacIntyre’s partner, has maintained a relatively low public profile compared with some of Europe’s other significant others. MacIntyre has spoken about the challenge of relocating to the United States for the PGA Tour as the couple navigates home is in Oban, Scotland, and the United States, a balance that is common for many players as they pursue major events like the Ryder Cup.

Wendy Honner is Shane Lowry’s wife. A former nurse, Honner and Lowry married in New York City in 2012 and now split time between stateside residence and a home in Dublin. The family maintains a strong Irish connection, including an eye toward summers in Ireland for the children as Lowry continues his career on the world stage.

Olivia Peet is Ludvig Åberg’s partner. Åberg met Peet through the U.S. university circuit; she is the daughter of a former professional tennis player and has her own professional pursuits in sport and coaching. The couple has built a life together in Ponte Vedra, Florida, as Åberg rises through the European and American circuits.

Kate Phillips is Justin Rose’s wife. The pair first met in 2000 through Rose’s work with IMG and later built a family life that includes two children. The Roses founded a charitable foundation in 2009 to support underprivileged children in Central Florida, reflecting their long-standing commitment to philanthropy alongside golf. Rose even pens a small nod to Phillips by using the No. 99 on his golf balls, a playful tribute to her favorite number.

Julie Sander Danielsen is Rasmus Hojgaard’s partner. The couple’s relationship remains carefully guarded, with public appearances dating back to 2019. Danielsen is Danish and has been seen celebrating Hojgaard’s successes on the fairway, including his 2023 Danish Golf Championship victory, as their lives revolve around the sport they both cherish.

Erica Stoll, Rory McIlroy’s wife, has been in the public eye for more than a decade. They met in 2012, when Stoll was working in the Ryder Cup volunteer operations, and they married in 2018. They welcomed daughter Poppy two years later. Their relationship has faced scrutiny in recent years, including a marriage separation that McIlroy later said had been resolved as the couple moved forward together. The McIlroy-Stoll family has also embraced a relocation plan, with a move from Jupiter, Florida, to a Wentworth, England, home as part of their evolving life on and off the course.

Viktor Hovland, at the moment, is reported to be single. The Norwegian star was the centerpiece of a well-documented moment in Rome when he posed for a photo with several of Europe’s wives after Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup, a moment that became an iconic image of the tournament. Before that, a Tinder profile attributed to Hovland drew attention to his private life, though it is not tied to his current relationship status.

As Europe heads to Bethpage Black, the WAGs and partners bring a parallel story to the Ryder Cup narrative—a blend of personal milestones, professional networks and family commitments that help define the atmosphere around one of golf’s most storied events. Their presence underscores how the Ryder Cup is as much a social and logistical undertaking as it is a competition between two teams, with both on-course results and off-course relationships contributing to the week’s mood and momentum.