European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald is preparing for the upcoming competition by playing up the underdog status of his team. Despite winning 10 of the last 14 matches, Donald acknowledges that winning on the road is a difficult task, especially considering the home team has won the last five editions of the Ryder Cup. The competition will take place at Bethpage Black in Farmington, New York, and Donald believes the tough environment will make Europe the underdogs.
On the other hand, U.S. Captain Keegan Bradley doesn’t buy into the underdog narrative. He believes his team will thrive in the hostile environment and is confident in their abilities to compete against Europe. The U.S. team has a bit of an advantage as the home team, but Bradley is aware of the great match play players on the European side and the passion they have for the Ryder Cup. He expects the fans to be loud and proud but also respectful to the opposing team.
Both captains addressed the possibility of the New York crowd crossing the line into inappropriate behavior. Bradley sees the fans as part of the team and expects them to be passionate but respectful. Precautions will be in place to ensure that the atmosphere remains spirited yet fair for both teams. Donald also emphasized the importance of maintaining the spirit of the Ryder Cup and looks forward to playing in front of a New York crowd.
Bradley confirmed that he will be sticking with the same point system for the automatic qualifiers and will have six captain’s picks. He also hinted at the possibility of taking either Jim Furyk or Tiger Woods as vice captains. Donald stated that any potential players will have to adhere to DP World Tour rules, and he has been in contact with players like Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia.
Both captains expressed the desire for their teams to bond ahead of the Ryder Cup. Bradley noted that many members of the U.S. team came into the last competition in Italy rusty due to a long layoff. They are exploring options to ensure the team is prepared to play, whether through matches or other measures. Donald echoed this sentiment and emphasized the importance of players following tour rules to remain eligible for the team.
Overall, both Bradley and Donald are focused on preparing their teams for the upcoming Ryder Cup. While Donald plays up the underdog status of Europe, Bradley is confident in his team’s abilities to compete against the visitors. The competition promises to be spirited and passionate, with both teams eager to come out on top. With preparations underway and the competition drawing closer, all eyes will be on Bethpage Black in Farmington, New York, for the highly anticipated Ryder Cup.
