Luke Donald, the European Ryder Cup captain, has been preparing his team for a dogfight. They are well set on winning top honors at the most coveted tournament. Donald, 34, comes from Merseyside and has always been an important ingredient in the mix of European golf. He’s playing this week in his fourth Ryder Cup. His leadership will be vital, most clearly following the stinging defeat he and the Euro squad suffered at the hands of the American side on Whistling Straits.
In a recent interview, Donald reflected on his friendship with basketball legend Michael Jordan, who has offered him valuable advice leading up to the Ryder Cup. This clarifying guidance arrives at a critical moment as Donald attempts to imbue a championship mindset into his squad.
“I think when you’ve lost one, yes, of course you have a chip on your shoulder. You have that feeling of hurt,” said Tommy Fleetwood, another senior member of the European team. That last sentiment particularly resonates with Donald, who has set his sights on using previous disappointments to inform a fire in his belly and drive success.
One player that has Donald especially excited on the European side is Rory McIlroy. Having played as McIlroy’s partner in the foursomes during the recent Ryder Cup in Rome, Donald appreciates the energy McIlroy brings to the group. In addition, he added, “Whoever gets to play with Rory this week — what an honor. And it’s amazing to play with him on the golf course too! I really enjoy having him out on the floor with me.
Our European counterparts celebrated a massive victory in Rome last year. Now, Donald is hoping to deny Donald a fifth success for the European side in next month’s Ryder Cup. He’s displayed some of the most remarkable finesse in recent memory. Just last month, he captured the Tour Championship, his first PGA Tour victory. This superb victory showcases his tremendous talents. Beyond that, it vastly increases the confidence of both him and his teammates.
As one of the senior members of the squad, Donald carries the experience of previous tournaments, including the recent loss at Whistling Straits. He knows the key role resilience plays and he knows he needs to guide his organization with resolve and smart strategy.
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