Newtown Square (United States) (AFP) – Luke Donald, seeking a three-peat in 2027 as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, is pleased with Jon Rahm securing his eligibility for the squad and has no worries about team-room issues. Speaking Wednesday at Aronimink on the eve of the 108th PGA Championship, Donald said he was thrilled LIV Golf champion Rahm had settled his issues with the DP World Tour last week, ensuring his Ryder Cup eligibility after saying the sanctions against him felt like extortion.
“I was glad an agreement had come to fruition sooner rather than later. The longer you leave that, the more onus is on me to potentially help with (rebuilding) some of those bridges,” Donald said. “When it comes to the Ryder Cup in the team room, I think they’re all pretty aligned. I don’t have any real qualms or issues that the team room won’t be unified.”
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The 48-year-old Englishman, who guided Europe to victories in 2023 in Italy and last year at Bethpage Black, spoke with both sides but had no involvement in policy decisions. “Very delighted that a resolution has happened and he’s available,” Donald said. “He has played four and two under my captaincy and done extremely well, so to have him available for selection is pretty cool.”
LIV Golf is set to lose Saudi funding in August, so Donald is delaying exact criteria on the 2027 qualifying method. “We don’t really know what’s going to happen with LIV,” Donald said. “You have to think about that in terms of qualification criteria. We don’t have to announce that until late-ish summer. The next few months, we’ll just wait and see.”
Donald, only the second Cup captain with home and away triumphs after England’s Tony Jacklin, would complete an unprecedented three-peat as captain if Europe wins next year at Ireland’s Adare Manor. The United States has not won on European soil since 1993 at The Belfry in England. Americans lead the all-time rivalry 27-16 with two drawn, but since expanding from a British and Irish side, Europe is 13-9-1 and has won 11 of the past 15 meetings.
While many European players live and golf in the United States, Donald says it doesn’t impact their desire and unity when playing for Europe. “I think you never forget where you grow up and what you represent,” Donald said. “Every single player is the same way, I would imagine.”
Donald is somewhat surprised his journey includes a third captaincy, but he could not resist the comeback call issued by Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, and others. “Sunday night of New York, I thought that was my time as captain,” Donald said. “But as the months went on — I live very close to Rory, to Shane, Matt Fitzpatrick — they were definitely very positive about me trying to go again. I started to think about it because, if your players really want you to do it, then I would at least consider that.”
After talking with his family, Donald took the job, knowing several possible captains took themselves out of contention by jumping to LIV Golf. “I know there was a lot of people probably in line in front of me that went to LIV and gave up that opportunity, but I’m a big believer that things happen for a reason,” Donald said. “To have one opportunity to do it in Italy was incredible. Now I’m sitting here having three opportunities. I never would have dreamed that.”
Donald is unsure players who went to LIV will ever have a chance at the captain’s role. “The simple answer is no just because it’s in the policy,” Donald said. “I’m sure policies do change, but that will be up to really the tour.”
© 2024 AFP
