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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Scottie Scheffler Reacts to Ryder Cup Announcement on Thursday
Scottie Scheffler Reacts to Ryder Cup Announcement on Thursday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The news became official Wednesday: Scottie Scheffler is headed to Bethpage Black for the 2025 Ryder Cup as the first automatic qualifier, according to a release by the Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup is a prestigious match-play competition between the United States and Europe, showcasing the best golfers from each side. Advertisement When it comes to the best golfers in the world, Scheffler's name is right at the top. The 28-year-old Texan has held the world's No. 1 ranking since March 27, 2022, and he's fresh off his 16th PGA Tour victory. Scheffler will tee off at Oakmont next week in pursuit of his fourth major title. While he has already won the Masters twice and the PGA Championship, he still needs the U.S. Open and the Open Championship to complete the career Grand Slam. On Thursday morning, Scheffler responded to the Ryder Cup news with a simple message on Instagram: "Let's Go USA" Scottie Scheffler, InstagramScottie Scheffler, Instagram When Scheffler arrives for the Ryder Cup from Sept. 25-28 at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, he'll be led by team captain Keegan Bradley. As of now, the top contenders to join Scheffler on Team USA include Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Russell Henley. Advertisement Bradley will select six additional players to round out the 12-man roster. On the other side, Luke Donald will captain Team Europe. The Ryder Cup spans three days, concluding with 12 singles matches on the final day. With 28 total points available, 14.5 are needed to clinch victory. In 2023, Team Europe cruised to a 16.5-11.5 victory. Scottie Scheffler at the Memorial Tournament.© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Scheffler's dominance is no recent fluke. He won the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2013, was named Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year in 2019 and took home PGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors in 2020. His breakout season came in 2022, when he captured his first major at the Masters. He followed that up by becoming the first golfer to win the Players Championship in back-to-back years (2023 and 2024). At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Scheffler added to his résumé by winning gold. Advertisement With a fourth major on the horizon and Ryder Cup glory in sight, Scheffler's career is on an elite trajectory, and it's far from over. Related: Scottie Scheffler Earns New Nickname After 16th PGA Tour Win Related: Rory McIlroy Sends Strong Message to Scottie Scheffler After 16th PGA Tour Win This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
15-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Luke Donald is the biggest surprise in a PGA Championship filled with them
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There were a number of unlikely names at the top of the PGA Championship leaderboard early in Thursday's opening round at Quail Hollow, but none was more eye-opening than Luke Donald. Donald, the current European Ryder Cup captain, is 47 years old and only a part-time player these days, with most of his focus on readying for Bethpage Black, where he's hoping to lead Europe to a second consecutive Ryder Cup victory under his watch. Donald, playing in the first tee time of the day alongside Padraig Harrington and Martin Kaymer and striking the first shot of the tournament, posted a 4-under-par 67. He entered the week having missed the cut in the last five tournaments in which he's played. 3 Luke Donald is off to a surprising start at the PGA Championship. Getty Images 'Obviously, I've been trending with all the five or six missed cuts coming into this week,'' Donald deadpanned afterward. 'Golf's a crazy game.'' Donald's game, other than not being in good form, also didn't figure to be a good fit at Quail Hollow, which maxes out to about 7,700 yards with him being a particularly short hitter. 'It was a pleasant surprise,'' he said. 'It's always fun, bogey-free in a major championship on a course that you wouldn't have thought would be ideal for me. I got off to a really nice, steady start. I hit a bunch of fairways on the front nine which always makes me feel good about my game. I didn't hit a ton of greens today but my putter was really good. 'Obviously very pleased with the score — bogey-free in a major. Someone just told me it was the lowest first round in a major I've had since 2004 or something.'' 3 Luke Donald is captaining Europe in the Ryder Cup for a second straight time. Getty Images It was his first bogey-free round in a major championship since 2015 and it tied his lowest career first round in a major (the 2004 PGA). Donald said he woke up at 4:40 a.m. Thursday and called it 'a nice little honor to hit the first tee shot to get the tournament underway.'' Asked what it's like going to a tournament like this being asked about everyone else's game but his, Donald said, 'That's what I signed up to. I'm here only because I'm captain of the European Ryder Cup Team. I wouldn't be in this field otherwise. It's a nice invitation and a perk that the Ryder Cup Captain gets. 'I understand that my game isn't where it used to be, and that is the focus. So, it really doesn't bother me one bit.'' Donald, who led the Europeans to a Ryder Cup victory in 2023 in Rome, called being a player while handling the responsibilities as the captain a 'balancing thing,'' adding, 'I still love competing. I love being a competitor. But still giving myself plenty of time to be prepared for New York.'' When it was pointed out to him that Keegan Bradley, the U.S. Ryder cup captain, was 3-under par at the time Donald finished his round, Donald joked, 'If (the Ryder Cup) is tied 14-14, are you talking a playoff? I'll grab the trophy and go back to Europe.'' As the defending champion, Europe would retain the Ryder Cup if the matches are tied at the end of the competition. 3 US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley was also off to a quick start at Quail Hollow. AP The 38-year-old Bradley, who's ranked 19th in the world, still fancies himself as a player who could qualify on points for the Ryder Cup team he captains. 'Keegan is top 20 in the world, he can have one good week out here, win, which he's very capable of, and he's absolutely in the conversation of being a playing captain,'' Donald said. 'I don't think that's quite in my future. But Keegan is still one of the top players in the world.''
The Independent
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Luke Donald ‘expects' Jon Rahm to make Ryder Cup team despite doubts over form
Luke Donald has said Jon Rahm has been given 'no assurances' that he will make Europe's Ryder Cup team, but admitted he would 'expect' him to make the cut despite a dip in form. The two-time major winner finished top of the LIV league last season but has not won an event in it since, amid a general drop-off in form since his defection to the Saudi Arabian-backed tour in 2023. The Spaniard has not won a major in that time and has only made the top 10 once in the last four, but was an integral part of the triumphant Europe side in Rome in 2023. 'I haven't given anyone the nod,' Europe captain Donald said of selection for the 12-strong team. 'I think it's a little bit too early for that. 'We know exactly how these players are playing. We have a great idea of where they stack up against each other and against the US. 'But I certainly think it's a little too early to be giving anyone firm assurances right now. I want them to go out and feel like they go and earn it. '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.' This week's PGA Championship will be a key event for Donald in assessing the form of those fighting to make the cut. The Englishman conceded that experience in major tournaments and handling the pressure of the occasion would be a significant factor in who he selected, with a boisterous atmosphere expected at Bethpage Black in September. He added: 'I think I will certainly give a little bit more importance to experience, people who have been able to handle those big moments under the most scrutiny.'
Irish Examiner
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
No Ryder Cup guarantee for Rahm as Donald passes the buck
There was a lot of deflecting going on regarding the Ryder Cup and the status of Team Europe's second most prominent player. Jon Rahm deflected to captain Luke Donald. Donald deflected to DP World CEO Guy Kinnings. Had Kinnings been brought to the podium at Quail Hollow, he surely would have kicked the can to someone with more authority – perhaps God or Rory McIlroy. Has Rahm been told not to worry, that he'll be on the team despite currently sitting 29th in points? 'That's a question for Luke. It's his team. Hopefully I can qualify, and we don't have to question it.' Has Donald been told not to worry, that Rahm (and Tyrrell Hatton) will be eligible to play? 'That's a question for Guy Kinnings. 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.' What was clearly not being said was that there will almost certainly be no scrutiny of the appeal of LIV golfers before October at the earliest and that Spain's Rahm – as well as his LIV Legion XIII teammate Tyrrell Hatton – will be among the 12 best players fitted for blue and yellow uniforms to wear in September at Bethpage Black. 'Well, I haven't given anyone the nod,' Donald said Wednesday ahead of the PGA Championship. 'I certainly think it's a little too early to be giving anyone, like, firm assurances right now. We have three majors, elevated events, plenty of other events, Rolex Series events to play. I want them to go out and feel like they go and earn it. Let's go in and play well. 'But again, we do have a lot of stats. 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. He still needs to keep going and playing just like everyone else." Donald kept a straight face through all of that. Hatton, who currently ranks fourth on the European points list, and Rahm will be – barring injury – on Donald's team at Bethpage. They may not be as close to locks at McIlroy and Shane Lowry – currently 1-2 in points – but they're going to be the only two LIV guys playing for Europe (sorry Sergio). While things could change with three majors still left to play, Donald has a lot of talent and experience he can count on to try to win on the road for the first time since 2012 in the Miracle at Medinah. Eight Europeans are currently ranked among the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking, and every one was a member of Donald's winning team in Rome. Rasmus Højgaard (third in points) is a good bet to replace, if not join, his twin brother, Nicolai. Veterans from Rome with work to do are Bob MacIntyre, Nicolai Højgaard and Matthew Fitzpatrick, while a handful of Danes (Niklas Norgaard, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and Thorbjørn Olesen), Englishmen (Matt Wallace and Laurie Canter) and a Belgian (Thomas Detry) jockey for the captain's attention on potentially two available spots. Donald is dealing from a position of strength with Europeans dominating this season on the big stages, winning eight times on the PGA Tour already including three signature events, the Players and the Masters. 'When you have two or three guys up there – like at the Masters we had obviously Rory, Justin (Rose), Ludvig (Åberg), last week Shane and Sepp (Straka) – there's always going to be one loser, as well, which is the tough part because I'm texting the guys 'hard luck,'' Donald said. 'But inside I'm thinking, this is great, because I've got a few potential guys all playing really well. 'It's a great problem to have. I love the momentum that we have so far. The players always seem to elevate their games in Ryder Cup years, and it's good to see.' Ultimately when it comes to parsing out his six captain's picks, experience will be a decisive factor. The New York crowds are likely to be more hostile and belligerent than usual. Donald will need to trust his players can handle a cauldron. 'I think I will certainly give a little bit more importance to experience, people who have been able to handle those big moments under the most scrutiny, those major championships, people who can step up, have had chances to win or have won major championships,' Donald said. 'I think it's something I will definitely consider, and it will be something that could give someone an edge if they're on a very similar playing field in terms of statistics. 'I wouldn't say it's one over the other. I think statistics and data is really important, but gut instinct and personality matchups is equally as important.' That makes this week at Quail Hollow as well as the US Open at Oakmont and the Open Championship at Royal Portrush de facto qualifying events – especially any promising rookies wanting to catch Donald's eye. 'Then obviously the majors are important,' Donald said. 'I think that's the time when everyone gets together on good golf courses and you have stacked fields. Just to see how they're playing in those is another point that we take into consideration quite a lot.' Meanwhile, Donald's American counterpart Keegan Bradley is trying to draw together what might be a very different looking US. team. He put together a dinner for prospective players in suburban Philadelphia before last week's Truist Championship won by another European, Straka. Among the invitees were LIV stars Bryson DeChambeau (who attended via Zoom) and Brooks Koepka, who Bradley said 'were in there on points and they played on previous teams.' Conspicuously not among those invitees was erstwhile 'Captain America' Patrick Reed, who just happens to sit 66 spots higher in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings (25th) than Koepka (91st) and more than 300 spots higher in the Official Golf World Ranking (Reed at 52 and Koepka 354). 'This Ryder Cup and what comes with this, no one cares about what's going on in this side PGA Tour-LIV. We're trying to put the best team together,' Bradley said. 'It could mean there's one LIV guy, two LIV guys, it doesn't matter. We'll see how this year shakes out.'
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Luke Donald sends Ryder Cup warning to Jon Rahm amid difficult run of form - as Europe captain insists no one has 'firm assurances' of a spot in the team
Luke Donald has given Jon Rahm no assurances about his place on the European Ryder Cup team at a time when his big-stage performances have come into question. The Spaniard, one of the stars of the win in Rome in 2023, has finished higher than 14th only once in four majors since joining LIV 18 months ago. Although there is no realistic prospect of Donald overlooking the two-time major winner, especially with a rowdy atmosphere expected for September's match at Bethpage Black, a free pass onto the 12-strong team has not been issued. Donald said: 'I haven't given anyone the nod. I think it's a little bit too early for that. Again, we have, very in-depth stats. We know exactly how these players are playing. We have a great idea of where they stack up against each other and against the US. 'But I certainly think it's a little too early to be giving anyone firm assurances right now. We have three majors, elevated events, plenty of other events, Rolex Series events to play. I want them to go out and feel like they go and earn it. Let's go in and play well. '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. Rahm has struggled for form at various Majors since he defected to LIV Golf 18 months ago 'He still needs to keep going and playing just like everyone else. Again, no assurances have been given right now.' Doubts around Rahm's form require the extra context of knowing he has not finished outside the top 10 in a LIV event this season. That he has also not won, having finished their league in first place last season, is hardly a cause for immense concern, but it does fall beneath the standards Rahm set on traditional tours before defecting. Among the complications for Rahm, as well as Tyrrell Hatton, is that both men could be declared ineligible if they lose appeals against paying fines to the DP World Tour accrued after their departures. Given the DP World Tour is in no rush to push through that process prior to the Ryder Cup, it is unlikely to be an issue that keeps them from appearing in New York. For Donald, their experience will be weighted at a premium if they fall outside of automatic qualification and rely on a pick. The atmosphere in New York is expected to be such a factor that prospective rookies might find it harder to get selected. Donald, who will be closely monitoring his contenders at the PGA Championship this week, said: 'I think I will certainly give a little bit more importance to experience, people who have been able to handle those big moments under the most scrutiny, those major championships, people who can step up, have had chances to win or have won major championships. 'I think it's something I will definitely consider, and it will be something that could give someone an edge if they're on a very similar playing field in terms of statistics.'
