Luke Donald remained coy on whether or not he’ll captain Staff Europe for a 3rd successive Ryder Cup as he backed Rory McIlroy to be a profitable skipper in future.
Donald led his continent to an exhilarating 15-13 victory over USA at Bethpage Black in September – Europe’s first win within the States for the reason that ‘Miracle of Medinah’ in 2012 – two years after presiding over a 16.5-11.5 triumph in Rome.
The Englishman is just the second Ryder Cup captain, after Tony Jacklin, to win the occasion residence and away and is at the moment weighing up whether or not to go once more at Adare Manor in Eire in 2027.
Donald – talking forward of taking part in within the DP World India Championship, stay on Sky Sports activities from Thursday – hopes to be concerned within the subsequent Ryder Cup in some capability, whereas he feels McIlroy’s “passion” will assist him succeed as a captain down the road.
The 46-year-old stated when requested if he’ll helm Staff Europe in County Limerick: “I am making an attempt to nonetheless get pleasure from this one!
“If I’m not a captain in two years’ time and the captain wants me to be there, then I’m sure I would be happy to help him in any way he wanted.”
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McIlroy was important of the US crowds at Bethpage after a sequence of unsavoury incidents on the Ryder Cup.
McIlroy loves the Ryder Cup ‘greater than something’
On McIlroy, who accrued 3.5 factors for Staff Europe in New York whereas dealing with heavy verbal abuse from a bit of the house crowd, Donald added: “He loves the Ryder Cup greater than something.
“He made it fairly evident that successful an away Ryder Cup would actually be the icing on a tremendous yr that he had [in winning the Masters for the career Grand Slam].
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McIlroy reduce an emotional figures when he spoke shortly after Europe clinched Ryder Cup success in New York in September
“He loves what it represents. You’ve seen the emotion from losing to winning. Anyone that has that passion for a Ryder Cup I think would make a good captain.”
McIlroy will be a part of Donald on this week’s area in Delhi, with the latter relishing getting again out on the course as a participant after his exertions as Ryder Cup captain.
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McIlroy was pictured warming up on the Delhi Golf Membership forward of the DP World India Championship from Thursday
Donald: I’ve woken up from Ryder Cup desires
Donald stated: “The lead-up to the Ryder Cup, you’re spending five or six weeks just thinking about all kinds of different things, partnerships, pairings, the golf course, the gifting.
“There’s simply a lot that goes into it that your thoughts is type of clogged.
Donald will play on this week’s DP World India Championship, stay on Sky Sports activities
“I’ve had many nights where I’ve woken up with Ryder Cup dreams and things where I had forgotten my radio one night and there’s still one game out on the course and I was panicking, trying to get to the game.
“I believe coming right here, taking part in a match will really assist. It is going to get my thoughts extra again on what I want to do that week. I am excited to get again to taking part in.”
Watch the DP World India Championship live on Sky Sports from Thursday to Sunday. Coverage of day one begins at 7.30am on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and extra contract-free with NOW.
