Tag: Luke Donald

Luke Donald announces Thomas Bjorn will be Vice Captain at 2025 Ryder Cup

Run it back.

The European Ryder Cup team continues to run it back.

On Tuesday, Luke Donald named Thomas Bjorn as his second Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York from Sept. 26-28, 2025. Bjorn was a Vice Captain on Donald’s 2023 squad that beat the Americans 16½-11½ in Rome, Italy. It will be his sixth time as a Vice Captain in the biennial contest and 10th time overall he has been a part of Team Europe, including in 2018 when he was the captain for the European victory in Paris.

“It was a natural progression from last time,” Bjorn said. “Luke called me and said he wanted me to carry on into New York, understanding that it’s going to be a completely different Ryder Cup in 2025 at Bethpage. We had some conversations back and forth mostly about how to go from the victory in Rome and into a new set up for New York, debriefing on what happened in Rome and how we carry it forward.”

Bjorn, 53, is Donald’s second selection as Vice Captain. Edoardo Molinari, who was appointed in January, was the first.

“I am very excited to have Thomas back on the team,” Donald said. “Once I was appointed as Captain again, my thoughts quickly went to who I wanted to have in the backroom staff. And Thomas certainly was one of those. He means a lot to me. He’s passed on his knowledge and I’ve had a great relationship with him over the last few years. To have those relationships, to enjoy the people you’re spending time with along that journey is really important.”

As a player, he was part of three European victories in 1997, 2002 and 2014. Now, he’s back on Donald’s squad as the Europeans look to have similar success next year on American soil.

“We had a fantastic environment in Rome,” Bjorn said. “Luke did an amazing job. He was a fantastic leader, not just of 12 players, but of the whole Ryder Cup Europe team that worked so hard behind the scenes. It was amazing for me to be part of that because I knew how all of those things worked from Paris. To see how he added a few extra things in Rome and made it even better was amazing and I was very proud of him. He was exceptional.”

Sergio Garcia insists his Ryder Cup verdict will be coming ‘in the near future’

Garcia has been on the winning side six times in 10 Ryder Cup appearances.

AUSTIN, Texas — The Ryder Cup holds a dear place in Sergio Garcia’s heart, and rightfully so. The passionate Spaniard is one of the most decorated players in the history of the competition, starting his career at 19 as the youngest Ryder Cupper ever back in 1999 (a record that still stands) and he’s boasted an outstanding 25-13-7 record in 45 matches.

But Garcia, along with the likes of former European Ryder Cup stalwarts such as Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer, was deemed ineligible to be selected to Luke Donald’s 2025 Euro squad because of the requirements to be a member of the DP World Tour, which runs the European side for the biennial matches. Garcia originally resigned from that tour in May.

The 44-year-old former Masters champion, who has played for LIV Golf since 2022, is intent on getting back onto the DP World Tour, and paid hefty fines of more than $800,000 to make amends. However, Garcia reportedly missed the deadline to apply for 2024 membership and is now hoping that current negotiations with PIF might allow a pathway back into the international competition.

“I look at it two ways. If I’m not able to play anymore it’ll be a little bit sad,” Garcia said while attending a fundraiser for Lions Municipal Golf Course, a municipal course in Austin where he resides with his wife Angela. “But at the same time, I look at it that I’ve played many, many times. I’ve been successful in it both individually and as a team. So that’s what I take from it.”

Sergio Garcia stands with his wife Angela on the green carpet prior to the Save Muny fundraiser at Austin City Limits Moody Theater. (Photo: Tim Schmitt/Golfweek)

Garcia has been on the winning side six times in 10 Ryder Cup appearances and has the most points (28 ½) of any European player. And Garcia hinted that a resolution to his situation was coming soon.

“Hopefully, things will kind of settle and, you know, we’ll see where everything sits at the end. And hopefully, they just give us the possibility — all of us — to be a part of it again if we’re playing well enough. We’ll see where that settles in the near future.”

Donald will return as the European Captain at Bethpage Black on Long Island, having led Europe to a 16½ – 11½ victory against the United States in the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy.

He will become Europe’s first repeat captain since Bernard Gallacher performed the role in three consecutive Ryder Cups in 1991, 1993 and 1995.

Donald will aim to become only the second captain to lead Europe to victories both home and away, following Tony Jacklin, who achieved the double at Muirfield Village in Ohio in 1987, retaining the Ryder Cup following his team’s victory two years previously at The Belfry, in England, in 1985.

Garcia would be a popular selection, if he found his way back onto the European side. Before he made the jump to LIV Golf, Jon Rahm openly lobbied for his fellow countryman, perhaps in a vice captain’s role.

“I think it would be really stupid of anybody not to lean on Sergio García’s experience in the Ryder Cup,” said Rahm when asked if he would like to see his friend back in the fold. “I mean, he is the best player Europe has ever had, won the most points and has shown it time and time again. If he were able to be a vice captain, I absolutely would lean on him.”

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Notah Begay joins revolving carousel of analysts to audition for NBC job at 2024 Valspar Championship

Begay’s audition follows appearances from Kevin Kisner, Brandel Chamblee, Luke Donald and Jim “Bones” Mackay.

Another week on the PGA Tour, another tryout for the open chair calling golf for NBC.

Notah Begay is jumping on the revolving carousel of lead analysts for the network for this week’s 2024 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort‘s Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Florida. The 51-year-old has done well in his role as an on-course reporter for NBC and Golf Channel since he joined the network more than a decade ago and has taken a stab at commentary in the past.

“I’m excited and nervous,” Begay said to Golf Digest. “If we go back to (Johnny Miller), he made it look so simple and spoke from a strong position of experience. (Paul Azinger) did a wonderful job with his energy, and you could tell he still really loved to watch the game of golf.”

Begay is the latest talking head to throw his hat in the ring after Azinger wasn’t re-signed for the 2024 season, joining the likes of Kevin Kisner, Brandel Chamblee, and Luke Donald. Jim “Bones” Mackay also sat in the chair during the Mexico Open on an off week caddying for Justin Thomas.

“I mean, there’s a definite pressure, but that’s what professional athletes deal with all the time,” he said. “I spent a career dealing with pressure. … It’s a different kind of pressure because you’re being critiqued and evaluated, and that’s OK. We should be scrutinized and called out when we make mistakes because we should be ready for the big moments.”

“You hate to lose at anything,” he added. “You get to the PGA Tour because you don’t like to lose. But these decisions are made in the best interest of the NBC team, so whatever decisions are made, I’ll support it 100 percent. My job at that point, if it isn’t me, is to support whoever’s in there and allow them to be the best they can possibly be.”

Known for his connections to Tiger Woods after the pair were teammates at Stanford, Begay turned pro in 1995 after the Cardinal won the NCAA Championship in 1994. He won four times on the PGA Tour from August 1999-July 2000 and then struggled with injuries and form before he joined the NBC crew in 2012.

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Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald joins NBC’s broadcasting team for Cognizant Classic, Arnold Palmer Invitational

The European Ryder Cup captain will get plenty of air time.

In its continued search for a replacement in the broadcast booth, NBC has tabbed Luke Donald for the role of lead analyst for the next two PGA Tour events, the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches and Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Sports Business Journal was first to report the news and a source confirmed to Golfweek soon after that Donald would join the broadcast.

The official announcement came as expected on Sunday.

Donald, the victorious 2023 European Ryder Cup captain who again will lead the team in 2025 at Bethpage Black, is the latest in a line of current golfers or commentators to serve as lead analyst on NBC’s coverage of the PGA Tour, as the network continues to look for a full-time replacement for Paul Azinger.

Kevin Kisner called the season-opening The Sentry in Hawaii and was on the broadcast at the WM Phoenix Open. Brandel Chamblee commentated at The American Express last month, and Paul McGinley and Curt Byrum also have been in the booth. Jim “Bones” Mackay, Justin Thomas’ caddie, is getting a turn this week at the Mexico Open at Vidanta.

SBJ reported Donald is expected to appear Thursday of the Cognizant Classic broadcast on Golf Channel and then join Dan Hicks over the weekend on NBC.

Golfweek’s Adam Schupak contributed to this story.

Ryder Cup Europe wishes you all a Merry Christmas (while dunking on Team USA)

“Merry Christmas from everyone at Ryder Cup Europe,” said captain Luke Donald, “and a happy two more years.”

When it comes to online content, the DP World Tour has dominated on social media compared to other tours and golf’s governing bodies. That’s why it’s no surprise that Ryder Cup Europe shared a hilarious video on Saturday.

In the video, winning 2023 captain and future 2025 captain Luke Donald is seen polishing one of seven Ryder Cups (most likely to represent the seven victories Team Europe has in the biennial bash against the Americans in the last 20 years).

“Merry Christmas from everyone at Ryder Cup Europe,” Donald said, “and a happy two more years.”

The 2025 event will be held Sept. 25–28 at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York. As mentioned earlier, Donald will return for two more years as the captain of the Europeans, while the U.S. have yet to announce a captain.

The video paid homage to some of the best chants from the 2023 edition in Italy – where the Europeans dominated – including Team Europe and Rory McIlroy’s celebration song, “the USA is terrified, Europe’s on fire.”

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Luke Donald named European Ryder Cup Captain for 2025

“Great opportunities don’t come along very often in life.”

Luke Donald has been named as the European Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York.

The 45-year-old Englishman returns to the role having led Europe to a 16½ – 11½ victory against the United States in the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy, earlier this year.

He will become Europe’s first repeat captain since Bernard Gallacher performed the role in three consecutive Ryder Cups in 1991, 1993 and 1995.

Donald will be aiming to become only the second captain to lead Europe to victories both home and away, following Tony Jacklin, who achieved the double at Muirfield Village in Ohio in 1987, retaining the Ryder Cup following his team’s victory two years previously at The Belfry, in England, in 1985.

“Great opportunities don’t come along very often in life, and I’m a great believer that when they do, you need to grab them with both hands – this is one of these moments,” Donald said. “I’ve been fortunate as a player to have had many amazing times in the Ryder Cup over the years and so to add being a winning Captain to that, to form bonds with the 12 players like we did in Italy and to get the result we did, was very special indeed.

“The Ryder Cup means so much to me, so to be Captain again and have the chance to create more history by becoming only the second European Captain to win back-to-back is exciting.

2023 Ryder Cup
Team Europe captain Luke Donald arrives at the first tee during day one foursomes round for the 44th Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

“There is no question that being a Captain away from home is a tough task. But I have never shied away from challenges throughout my career and it is precisely the kind of thing that motivates me. I can’t wait to get another 12-strong team to Bethpage in 2025.”

Initially, Donald was overlooked as 2023 Ryder Cup captain as Europe selected Sweden’s Henrik Stenson for the job, but Stenson was stripped of the honor when he bolted for LIV Golf, the upstart league. Donald was the second choice then, but he’s clearly the first choice now, and Team Europe decided not to wait to see whether any of the European players who departed for LIV and had previously appeared to be in the pipeline for captaincy, such as Lee Westwood or Ian Poulter, would return to the fold.

Donald was a member of the last European Team to win on American soil at Medinah Country Club in 2012, when he led Jose Maria Olazabal’s side out in the singles, securing the first blue point on the board in one of the most famous comebacks in the history of the biennial contest.

During his playing career, he represented Europe in the Ryder Cup four times as a player, being part of a winning team on all four occasions, contributing 10½ points from his 15 matches.

He then served as a vice captain in 2018, under Thomas Bjorn, and Padraig Harrington in 2021, before becoming captain for the first time at the 2023 contest in Rome.

Donald has won five times on the PGA Tour and another eight times on the DP World Tour and ascended to No. 1 in the world for a total of 56 weeks. In 2011, he became the first player in history to top the money lists on the European Tour (now the DP World Tour) and the PGA Tour in the same year.

“I have had a nice individual career; I have accomplished a significant amount as a player. My most special moments have been in The Ryder Cup editions, and being able to share that in a team atmosphere,” Donald said. “[Being captain] felt like a lifetime achievement award when I found out that I was given the honor and privilege to be nominated as captain. It is something that I do not take lightly. I think about it every day and more specifically around what we can do to give our team the best chance of success and to build that right culture and environment…Everyone knows how special The Ryder Cup has been as part of my career and this is an opportunity of a lifetime. It is a big responsibility but I am going to try and enjoy the journey.”

Photos: PGA Tour pros celebrate Halloween as Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Bob Ross and more

What a great day for the players and their families.

Tuesday was Halloween and plenty of PGA Tour professionals celebrated with their families, and had some pretty good costumes to boot.

Max Homa, dressing up with his son, Cam, for the very first time, wore NASA gear while Cam wore an astronaut costume.

Tony Finau and the whole Finau clan were Power Rangers, while Adam Hadwin and his wife, Jessica, may have had the best costumes of the day. Jessica dressed up as Adam, while the Tour pro was dressed as the security guard that tackled him after fellow Canadian Nick Taylor won the RBC Canadian Open.

Check out some of the costumes below:

A close match, new Captain America and more way too early predictions for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black

Is the Ryder Cup due for a close contest? Which new stars will shine? Will fans become a storyline?

Is it 2025 yet?

For golf fans across the globe the countdown to the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, has already started despite the fact the 44th playing of the biennial bash between the United States and Europe is just one day in the rearview mirror.

For American fans, they want to wash away the embarrassing performance at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Italy last week. As for the European supporters, they want to ride the momentum of another win at home and avenge the historic loss at Whistling Straits in 2021.

A lot can happen over two years, especially in golf, but don’t let that get in the way of a fun thought exercise. Here are some way, way too early predictions for the 2025 Ryder Cup.

MORE: Changes afoot for USA | How players fared in ’23 | Future sites

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Highlights from Team Europe’s epic 2023 Ryder Cup celebration in Italy

The Europeans sure know how to party.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day. But it was conquered in three.”

That was one of many posts on the Ryder Cup Europe social media accounts to celebrate the team’s 16½-11½ win over the United States in the 44th playing of the biennial bash, held this year at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club near Rome, Italy.

The team celebrations with the Cup in the hours and days that follow are always fun to see, and European captain Luke Donald foreshadowed what would be a fun night in his interview with Golf Channel’s Cara Banks just minutes after Europe secured the Cup.

“We always do it right in Europe, we do it right,” said Donald with a smile. “We’ll have a few drinks.”

Did they ever.

The chants started with “Two more years!” for the captain and transitioned to cheers of “Ole! Ole! Ole!” and songs of victory on the team bus. Check out the highlights from Team Europe’s epic Ryder Cup celebrations.

MORE: Changes afoot for USA | How each player fared | Future sites

2023 Ryder Cup Sunday singles results: Team Europe defeats Team USA despite late charge

Check out the Sunday singles match results from the 2023 Ryder Cup, where the session was split 5-5-2.

It’s been all Team Europe all week long in Italy at the 2023 Ryder Cup.

The Europeans, led by Luke Donald, entered Sunday singles on the final day of play at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club near Rome with a 10½-5½ advantage over Team USA and will need just four points to reclaim the Cup. On the flip side, Zach Johnson’s American side will need to complete the biggest comeback in the history of the biennial event and claim 8½ points to retain the Cup.

Here’s a breakdown of each of the 12 Sunday singles matches at the 2023 Ryder Cup, updated as they finish.

FINAL SCORE: Team Europe 16½, Team USA 11½

Sunday singles results