Summary
FARMINGDALE, NY (AP) — Luke Donald tweaked the lineups and also the details of the team hotel, seeking any advantage for Europe in the Ryder Cup. His leadership drew praise from everyone at Bethpage Black, from President Donald Trump to U.S. captain Keegan Bradley. “I think he’s the greatest European Ryder Cup captain of all time,” Bradley said.
After their 15-13 victory, Donald's players made it clear they want him to return as captain in 2027. "Two more years! Two more years!" chanted the Europeans during the victory ceremony and press conference. Donald, 47, was reluctant to confirm whether he would consider a third term, although he is likely to be asked.
Interestingly, Donald wasn't the first choice for the European team at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. Henrik Stenson had been chosen, but he joined LIV Golf, leading the European Tour to strip him of his captaincy and award it to Donald. Despite having little time to prepare, he led Europe to a 16.5 to 11.5 victory on that occasion. This time, with more preparation, he assembled a solid team that took a big lead in the team sessions and maintained it on Sunday.
Key details
The players attribute their success to his communication and preparation. “He’s the captain of this ship and has guided us better than I can imagine,” Jon Rahm commented. “He’s set a very high standard for future captains.” After winning in Rome, the Europeans focused on earning a victory abroad, and Donald kept their attention on that goal, dressing the players in practice jerseys commemorating past victories in 1987, 1995, 2004, and 2012.
Once in New York, Donald began his work long before the first ball was hit at Bethpage Black. “My job is literally to give these kids a better chance to win. It can be as simple as little details,” he explained. For example, at the hotel, the room doors had a large gap that let in light, so they brought in things to cover it. They also changed the shampoos and improved the quality of the beds so the players could rest better.
Historically, it wasn't uncommon for Great Britain and Ireland, and later Europe, to repeat captains. Tony Jacklin did it four times in a row, and Bernard Gallacher also did it three times. However, since Seve Ballesteros in 1997, this was uncommon until Donald's arrival. Although he competed in four Ryder Cups as a player, his legacy as captain will be remembered, regardless of his return.
Statements and context
When Trump attended the first day of matches, Donald Trump mentioned that the president told him he was “becoming a great leader.” Bradley thought his role made him stand out. “He’s very quiet, and I think he’s been able to come out of his shell over these Ryder Cup years,” said Bradley, who described the team as an “unstoppable force.” Donald has enjoyed this experience and now must decide if he wants to repeat it. “The weeks we spent together are the ones we remember and cherish the most, because it’s time we shared together,” concluded Donald.
"That's a big part of my captaincy, creating an environment where these kids have the best weeks of their lives. We'll always remember this, and it will go down in history."
