Donald inspired by Paris heroics
LUKE DONALD witnessed at first hand in his role as vice-captain the unity, camaraderie and team spirit that helped sweep Europe to a stunning Ryder Cup triumph in Paris at the weekend.
But for all that Thomas Bjorn’s men won in style at Le Golf National, there remains a suspicion they were assisted, to a large extent, by in-fighting in the United States’ team room on a par with that which marred the Americans’ Gleneagles bid four years ago.
On that occasion, Phil Mickelson was highly critical of Tom Watson’s captaincy while, this time, Patrick Reed fired a broadside at team-mate Jordan Spieth for seemingly pressuring USA captain Jim Furyk to pair him with pal Justin Thomas at Reed’s expense.
Given that the Spieth-Reed pairing garnered five points from seven matches in the previous two Ryder Cups, the Masters champion’s outburst was perhaps understandable.
Europe had no such conflicts of self-interest, it would seem.
Donald, who is poised to play competitively for the first time this year at this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after being sidelined with a back injury, said: ‘With the camaraderie and the fun we had, the guys felt relaxed and loose all week and their games were solid.
‘They seemed very up for the challenge. The US got off to a good start but we were very confident about the foursomes and the guys never got down at being 3-1 behind.
‘We were on a course we were familiar with and in a style which suited us, but to dominate the Ryder Cup like that against a strong US team was very impressive.
‘I’ve read brief things but I wasn’t in that (United States) team room, so it’s hard for me to comment.
‘All I can say is the atmosphere and demeanour of our guys was fantastic. They were excited to be together and play as a team and all the egos were left at the door from Monday.
‘I don’t know how to comment on the US team. I’m fortunate to have been involved in five Ryder Cups and haven’t been on the losing side, so I don’t know how that feels. Sometimes, emotions run high, I guess.
‘The way the European Tour is set up, guys tend to stay at the same hotels, travel together and eat together.
‘In America (on the PGA Tour), players tend to bring their families with them. But I don’t see there being a big difference between the teams anymore. If you want to have a successful Ryder Cup team, everyone has to get along and put everything to one side. You got a sense early on how our group was feeling.
‘There were no issues. Everyone was having a good time. There was lots of laughing, lots of jokes and a good atmosphere in the team room.
‘We’ve done a pretty good job against them in the last 30 years and whatever we’re doing is certainly working.’
His fellow vice-captain Graeme McDowell offered a similar take on the mood in the European camp. ‘It was a really special week to watch the guys and have a different perspective on it, sort of view it a bit more externally and see the boys come together as a team,’ said the Northern Irishman. ‘We talked about how great Europe is at doing that. I was starting to think it was maybe a little bit of a fallacy because the guys don’t spend as much time together as they used to. A lot of them are on the PGA Tour and are scattered all over the world. But watching them come together as a team unit and play for each other was special.’
Donald played on four winning Ryder Cup teams between 2004 and 2012 but said he was only able to fully savour the moment of victory properly following Sunday’s thrilling finale in Paris.
‘Sunday brought back lots of memories,’ said the Englishman. ‘It’s a little bit different as a vice-captain as you can step back and take it all in.
‘My best memories on a golf course have been during Ryder Cups and it was very special to be part of this one.’ Donald expects Padraig Harrington to be named as Bjorn’s successor as team skipper — but he also hopes that, at 40, his chance to captain the European team may also come.
He still aspires to make the team as a player in two years’ time at Whistling Straits and will use the Dunhill Links Championship as a springboard.
‘Being around last week was inspirational for me and I missed that (playing for the team),’ he said. ‘There will be shots out there this week where I’ll be thinking of the ones that were played and the pressure and, hopefully, I’ll feed off those memories.’