Donald is Paying Attention

Yahoo

14-05-2025

It's a long time before European Captain Luke Donald must settle on a team for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, but that doesn't mean his focus isn't squarely on that task.
For Donald, who is captaining for the second time, the year could not be going much better, with his players showing up at the first major of the year and also at other PGA Tour events.
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At Augusta, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy won in a playoff over England's Justin Rose.
Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose shake hands after winning in a playoff on the 18th green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club 2025. Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Before the Masters, Donald had won six European events, and after the Masters, Austria's Sepp Straka won for the second time this season at the Truist Championship.
At the same time, Americans are struggling to find the podium with only Russell Henley, Scottie Scheffler, and Justin Thomas winners who are on the radar screen for U.S. Captain Keegan Bradley.
'When you have two or three guys up there, like at the Masters we had obviously Rory, Justin, Ludvig, last week Shane and Sepp, there's always going to be one loser, as well, which is the tough part because I'm texting the guys hard luck. But inside I'm thinking, this is great, because I've got a few potential guys all playing really well.'
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Donald admits it's a significant problem to have, players playing well creating momentum in a Ryder Cup year, but it's not all so rosy.
With Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, both stars on the European Team in Rome, Donald may have some issues.
Jon Rahm in action during the final round of play at LIV Golf Korea at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club. Kim Soo-Hyeon/Reuters via Imagn Images
Both players are in the middle of an arbitration that could derail their opportunity to play in the Ryder Cup.
Donald seems unwilling to step into the middle of the fray.
'I have had zero conversations,' Donald said about the arbitration and its possible outcome. 'That's a question for Guy Kinnings (European Tour Group CEO). I do not get involved with the politics of that. So, my concentration is to get the best 12 players to New York, and hopefully everyone is eligible.'
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What seems like a contradiction, Donald is interested in putting his best 12 players together, but is unwilling to advocate for Rahm and Hatton if the arbitration doesn't go the right way.
'I think Guy knows that I want my best 12; let's put it that way,' Donald said, 'But I haven't talked to him about that.'
Currently, the Ryder Cup odds, according to Paddy Power, are USA 5/6, Europe 11/8, and a Tie at 10/1, so Donald could select the 12 best Europeans.
'In terms of Jon, he's one of the best players in the world, and I would expect him to be on that team, but I certainly haven't given him those assurances,' Donald said of Rahm. 'He still needs to keep going and playing just like everyone else.'
Related: McIlroy Playing With House Money
Related: Captain Bradley Invited DeChambeau and Koepka to Ryder Cup Dinner