The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black was put on hold due to the pandemic, pushing it a year back. Now, golf enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the showdown between Team USA and Team Europe on Long Island. While winning majors is what most golfers dream of, the Ryder Cup brings out a lot of passion every other September.
Luke Donald, Captain of Team Europe, recently lifted the Ryder Cup trophy after a 16.5 to 11.5 victory at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome. “To be honest, when I was growing up, one of my first memories is watching the Ryder Cup in 1987,” Donald shared with Fox News Digital. He added, “It’s such a fun week, the atmosphere it creates. People who don’t follow golf like to tune into the Ryder Cup for what it represents.”
Team Europe hasn’t managed to win on U.S. soil since their “Miracle at Medinah” in 2012, where they came from behind to clinch victory. Since then, the home team has dominated the Ryder Cup, often winning convincingly. The closest contests have been Europe’s five-point wins in 2014 at Gleneagles and their recent triumph in Rome.
Donald is well aware of the challenges he will face at Bethpage Black. “New York’s going to be loud and ready,” he noted. His task is to find ways to counteract the intense support for Team USA from the local crowd.
The home advantage, as shown in Rome, is significant. Donald knows that the best way to handle the pressure is by assembling a strong team. Liv Golf has stirred things up, but Donald expects Jon Rahm, a standout from 2023, to be part of the lineup. “Unless his form drastically takes off, I expect him to be there for us,” he stated.
Brooks Koepka, who was a captain’s pick in 2023, made his mark with a PGA Championship win and a strong finish at the Masters. Despite the challenges LIV players face in earning points, Koepka secured his spot. He was the only LIV golfer in the tournament that year.
Donald stepped into the captaincy role after Henrik Stenson was ousted due to his association with LIV. Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm were crucial in Team Europe’s victory in Rome. LIV players, however, face restrictions in other tournaments like the Presidents Cup, which is run by the PGA Tour.
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