The situation regarding the Ryder Cup and the payment of US golfers has caused various controversies. Can money be a motive for US golfers or will it cause the opposite effect? Various theories circulate from week to week, but we will find out everything in September this year when the duel at Bethpage Black begins.
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The captain of the European team, Luke Donald, is ready to repeat the same success as the one in Rome, but he is aware that playing on away soil is a twice as difficult task.
In an interview with the media, Donald referred to rumors that the situation surrounding the payment of US golfers could create an image of European golfers as 'good guys'.
The experienced golfer laughed, saying that his team's goal is to gain sympathy from US fans during the tournament.
The job of an away team is always to quiet the crowd and try and get them a little bit on your side, he said, as quoted by Telegraph. Its going to be not so easy, I dont think, not with the New Yorkers. But still, New York is a melting pot of cultures and we will have some support. Whistling Straits [in 2021] was tough with Covid. We had practically no one there. This time well have some voices behind us and well listen to those more than the New York crowd.
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The 47-year-old has no doubt that his team can achieve victory, aware that there are many quality individuals within the team. Although Donald had doubts whether to take on the role of captain this time as well, the support from the players and the European Tour is the reason why the experienced golfer decided to embark on the same adventure again. Donald loves the excitement factor of his role, feeling that with preparation and the right focus, the Europeans have the potential to succeed.
Look, I wouldnt have taken the job on again if I wasnt excited and [didnt] believe we can do it, Donald said.
After Rome, I could easily have disappeared into the sunset as a winning captain. But the players wanted me to stay on and Ive always believed it to be a mistake to shy away from the challenge. And the fact that away teams dont win the Ryder Cup is one very enticing reason why Ive resumed this role. I love the fact that its not going to be easy, but with time and the right preparation I really do think we can ensure that those scales are a bit more even.
