"My job as captain was to create an environment where these guys could have the weeks of their lives. We'll always remember this, because it's history," said a smiling Luke Donald at the press conference after winning the Ryder Cup on Sunday. Indeed, Europe's triumph at Bethpage State Park is already etched in the annals of golf.
Luke Donald, story
He has had a significant influence on his captain, who is responsible for putting together half the team. A champion in 2023, Donald has always had a clear roadmap for the 2025 edition: the core team, with everyone important but understanding their role, was the only way to achieve victory.
One of the big questions that every Ryder Cup leaves is the selection of the six players chosen by the captains. Europe's Ryder Cup, especially, aroused excitement because there were several unknowns. But Luke Donald, in his second Ryder Cup, opted for "his" team, the one that led Europe to victory in 2023. The only difference was the entry of Rasmus Hojgaard, with a direct ticket, to his twin brother Nicolai.
ADVERTISEMENT
It wasn't just the numbers that mattered, but also the intangibles. Therefore, due to circumstances that often escape the numbers, the captain maintained his faith in the players who had made him champion in 2023. The best example is his bet on a man like Matthew Fitzpatrick, who had a very negative record in previous editions. Not only did he call him back, but he also gave honors to all his players and at the same time respected their status.
Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Tommy Fleetwood were the leaders. They had earned it with their results on the road to the Ryder Cup. But every player was important. That's how they felt during the week: all, except the rookie, scored for Europe. Donald (as did Keegan Bradley with the United States) gave all twelve players their chance in the doubles matches, with the Northern Irishman, the Spaniard, and the Englishman present in every session to carry the team's weight. All three responded in a big way.
ADVERTISEMENT
But there was another of Donald's virtues: getting the entire group to accept the leadership of those three men and respond when the time came. Other distinguished players like Justin Rose and Shane Lowry had to play less, but their performance didn't decline: they ended up being equally decisive in winning the tournament.
Donald's strategy, the study of details, and the work done to identify which players could best adapt to each type of situation have yielded great results for Europe. The pairs matches were key to the final result, and in them the Blue team flowed as one, regardless of the pairing or the session in question.
They were the key to the numbers ultimately supporting Donald. These, of course, also have their corresponding historical implications. Europe has retained the Ryder Cup, but so has its captain. History shows that if it's very difficult to win the tournament, it's even more difficult to reclaim it with the same captain.
ADVERTISEMENT
Donald is only the fourth leader to achieve this feat in the competition's ninety-eight-year history. For the United States, Walter Hogan (1935 and 1937) and Ben Hogan (1947 and 1949) did it. In Europe, only Tony Jacklin (1985, 1987, and 1989) had achieved it. Until 2025, Europe already has a second captain on Olympus.
In part, it's because of his approach to the players. No controversy, no complaints in opposing circles, which have been very noticeable. But there's plenty of history, which is everything in this tournament, the perfect recipe for motivation. "We've talked about all the generations that paved the way for us, just as in the future, the new generations will talk about these kids," Donald said on Sunday. "For how they've done it, for how they've rebuilt themselves in this environment, the toughest in our sport," he thanked his group.
ADVERTISEMENT
The kids are also clear about it. The bar after Rome 2023 was set very high. 2025 has proven that sequels can also be more than just good. "Two more years" was a common cry at the Ryder Cup celebrations, and the captain hasn't ruled it out.
Because there seems to be plenty of reason for it. Stars like Rahm have expressed their deep admiration for the professionalism with which Donald has carried out his role. The team has been a united force from start to finish, and the foundation seems to be more than laid for 2027. Although, of course, there's still a world of work to do until then. With the 2025 Ryder Cup over,
