{"id":1248400,"date":"2023-11-29T18:14:34","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T18:14:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/luke-donald-humbled-by-players-support-for-his-return-as-ryder-cup-captain\/"},"modified":"2023-12-01T19:52:20","modified_gmt":"2023-12-01T19:52:20","slug":"luke-donald-humbled-by-players-support-for-his-return-as-ryder-cup-captain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/luke-donald-humbled-by-players-support-for-his-return-as-ryder-cup-captain\/","title":{"rendered":"Luke Donald humbled by players\u2019 support for his return as Ryder Cup captain"},"content":{"rendered":"
Luke Donald admits it was \u201chumbling and gratifying\u201d to have the support of Europe\u2019s players after being named captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup.<\/p>\n
Donald has been reappointed after masterminding a commanding victory in Rome earlier this year, after which the winning team immediately urged him to break with recent tradition and remain in charge.<\/p>\n
Support for the 45-year-old was such that it was inevitable that he would become Europe\u2019s first repeat captain since Bernard Gallacher performed the role in 1991, 1993 and 1995.<\/p>\n
The former world number one will also bid to become only the second captain after Tony Jacklin in 1985 and 1987 to win home and away.<\/p>\n
While Jacklin and Gallacher led the side on multiple occasions, it had been common practice since 1997 for the captain to only get one bite of the cherry, even if \u2013 like Bernhard Langer and Ian Woosnam \u2013 they spearheaded record victories.<\/p>\n
However, Europe\u2019s players made it clear they wanted that to change as they chanted \u201ctwo more years\u201d while Donald gave a television interview following the five-point victory in Rome.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think everyone sitting here would be very happy to have him again,\u201d Rory McIlroy said in the winning team\u2019s press conference, while Tommy Fleetwood hailed Donald as \u201cphenomenal\u201d.<\/p>\n
Speaking after being reappointed, Donald said: \u201cIt was so humbling, so gratifying to hear that they wanted me to carry on and certainly that was a big part of my decision to do that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe created some special moments, some special memories that week and to have their backing meant the world to me.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n