2025-08-31 11:41:58
Luke Donald says it was a straightforward decision to captain Europe at the Ryder Cup again.
The British golfer led the continent to glory at the event in Rome two years ago and explained that he decided soon after that he wanted to be involved again against the USA at Bethpage Black next month.
Donald told bunkered magazine: “It wasn’t that difficult, to be honest. When I was lifting the trophy on the Sunday night in Rome and I heard the players shouting, ‘Two more years’, I thought I don’t want to let these guys down.”
The former world number one explained that the prospect of making Ryder Cup history by winning home and away as captain of Europe appealed to him greatly.
Donald said: “Ultimately, I was attracted by the challenge in trying to create some history.
“To be only the second European Ryder Cup captain to win home and away consecutively is something that interested me and excites me.
“I’ve had so many amazing experiences as a Ryder Cup player and, obviously, last time as a captain, so to be given the honour to go back-to-back was very special.”
Europe are set to face a hostile atmosphere at the New York course and Donald believes that “experience” will be particularly important for his team.
He said: “Experience is always important but, yeah, particularly so for an away Ryder Cup.
“I will certainly put a little bit more value on it, on people who have been able to handle those big moments under the most scrutiny, such as major championships.
“I’ll look closely at people who can step up and who have had chances to win or have won big tournaments under pressure.
“It’s something I will definitely consider and it will be something that could give someone an edge if they’re on a similar playing field in terms of statistics.”
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