Immediate Effect: Luke Donald Is Named Ryder Cup Captain
The Englishman accepts the 2023 job and restores dignity after Henrik Stenson's well-deserved sacking. Plus, the PGA Tour announces the 2023 schedule. A first look at the impact on majors.
Luke Donald’s first remarks as 2023 Ryder Cup captain reinforced what plenty of smart observers already knew: he should have been picked all along. Measured, politically-astute and confident, the Englishman was unveiled as Henrik Stenson’s replacement on Monday.
The 44-year-old said getting named European Ryder Cup Captain “is truly one of the greatest honors that can be bestowed upon a golfer,” but admitted disappointment at not getting the original call in March. Donald remained quiet for several days last spring before congratulating the man he now replaces. Like many, Donald was long aware that Stenson might grab the easy money. In an interview last week with Golfweek’s Adam Schupak, Donald said he was surprised Stenson put his name forward after constant rumors of LIV offers.
“And I think everyone knew that. The European tour knew that. They obviously took his word that he wasn’t going to do it. We all have to sign a clause or contract saying that we won’t have anything to do with (LIV).”
If you think Donald avoids saying anything edgy, think again.
“If I got this captaincy I would live up to my word and see it through,” he said. “Let me put it that way. I wouldn’t be doing a Henrik.”
While Donald won’t be the social media star the committee apparently envisioned with Stenson—he won’t turn up at the Colosseum and re-enact Gladiator lines—the former Northwestern golfer stabilizes the Ryder Cup after several future-Captains sullied reputations by deserting the European cause for Greg Norman’s army of aggrieved arses. (Donald said he was asked and declined a LIV Golf announce job with the Ryder Cup in mind.)
Coupled with USA captain Zach Johnson, the Donald press conferences are not very Abbott and Costello. But in these weird times, this Cup may be more appealing if we don’t have one captain play Cheech to the opposing Chong.
The news of Donald’s captaincy landed hours removed from the light, lightly-watched and even more lightly-attended LIV Golf Bedminster stop where Stenson collected a massive winning check days after lamenting his (avoidable) Ryder Cup dismissal.
Donald has played on four European teams - all on the winning side and sports a 10-4 record. He served as a vice captain in the last two Ryder Cups for Thomas Bjorn and Padraig Harrington. Donald immediately announced he will retain Stenson associates Bjorn and Edoardo Molinari as lead buggy drivers.
“In my opinion, it was essential that Thomas and Edoardo remained part of the team,” Donald said. “They were the first two calls I made once I got the nod to be Captain and I’m delighted that they are fully on-board. Nobody needs any explanation of how important Thomas is to the Ryder Cup – one glance at the history books will show you that.
“Furthermore, Edoardo has blazed an impressive trail for himself in the world of stats and his knowledge in this area with the players who will be on the team, in addition to extra-special Italian element he will bring to the entire occasion, is an extra bonus for Team Europe.”
A statement from European Ryder Cup Director Guy Kinnings said little in sanitizing the decision to believe Stenson had finished his LIV flirtations.
“We have continued the tradition of moving forward with players in the role of Captain who have excelled in the Ryder Cup arena; and in terms of Luke, we are combining that experience with strong leadership and a meticulous approach,” he said. “On behalf of everyone at Ryder Cup Europe, we look forward to fully supporting him in the quest to reclaim the Ryder Cup next year.”
That will be a tall task after Europe’s 19-9 drubbing at Whistling Straits. But if the Ryder Cup were last week, the teams would have looked competitive on paper, with Team USA still holding an edge based on 2022 play:
In the first of around 830 press conferences, Donald grabbed immediate elder statesman vibes by not ruling out the aging Ryder Cup greats who have jumped to LIV Golf even if legal tussles or mergers somehow make the likes of Garcia, Poulter and Westwood Cup eligible.
In cutting Stenson loose with “immediate effect” and installing Donald as leader of the DP World Tour’s most valuable asset, the committee responsible for bungling the initial decision seems unlikely to be accommodating.
Last week at Trump Bedminster, Stenson made his firing sound random and unfortunate, joining the long list of LIV golfers who could not admit to the irresistibility of silly money.
“I just expect to be treated fairly going forward depending on what the outcomes are in this whole case,” Stenson said. “That is yet to be seen what decisions are to be made and when we will be notified of anything like the boys are saying here, qualification and vice captaincies and all the rest.”
One decision’s in: Stenson will not be a Captain in this lifetime. Nor is he likely to earn Ryder Cup points for 54-hole wins over a ragtag group of grifters.
PGA Tour Announces 2023 Schedule
You can read all the details here.
In terms of 2023 major championship golf, lead-in events remain almost entirely the same as this year.
The Masters is preceded by the traditional West Coast Swing and then the Honda, Arnold Palmer, Players, Valspar, Match Play ($20 million purse) and Texas Open.
Five events will be played between the Masters and PGA Championship at Oak Hill: RBC Heritage, Zurich Classic, Mexico Open, Wells Fargo and Byron Nelson.
Three events between the PGA and U.S. Open at L.A. Country Club offer these tune-up possibilities: Colonial, Memorial ($20 million purse) and Canadian Open at Oakdale in Toronto.
Four events sit between the U.S. Open and and The Open at Royal Liverpool: Travelers, Rocket Mortgage, John Deere and Scottish. The Rocket moving up is biggest change compared to 2022’s pre-Open schedule.
Four majors in four months, followed by an eight month gap continues to be ridiculous.
With all due respect my friend, I attended the Scottish Open last month and the LIV Golf event this weekend. I think if you did the same, you'd notice the crowd sizes were not very dissimilar. Love reading your insights and for the facts - and the bonus of quality snark - but let's not let feelings impact actual facts!