Luke's Ryder Cup blog
Injury has kept RBS ambassador Luke Donald out of this year's Ryder Cup. But he's eagerly awaiting the action as much as any golf fan. Here, he talks about the course, the captains and the players to watch.
Injury has kept RBS ambassador Luke Donald out of this year's Ryder Cup. But he's eagerly awaiting the action as much as any golf fan. Here, he talks about the course, the captains and the players to watch.
"As we look forward to the Ryder Cup, the good news is that European golf has probably never been in better shape, and it has not been that way for a number of years.
If you look at the number of Europeans at the top end of the world rankings, and take into account Padraig Harrington's two Major wins, Sergio Garcia's victory at the Players' Championship and the year Lee Westwood's having, you have to conclude that even on paper, the European team probably has an edge over the Americans.
The Ryder Cup brings with it the same kind of feelings that you get before a Major. The juices begin to flow and the build-up is very similar. Sadly, I'll have to watch the tournament on television as I'm still resting and allowing my injured wrist to heal. However, I'm looking forward to starting the rehabilitation process soon.
I have not played at Valhalla before but my fellow RBS ambassador, Jack Nicklaus, originally designed the course, and I gather he has made a few adjustments with the aim of making it a bit harder. I think the 13th hole will be the crucial point on the back nine, not least because the green is almost entirely surrounded by water. Players will want to get their noses ahead by then – it could be a real turning point.
As for the players, I think Padraig will play really well. Over the last 18 months or so, he has learned how to control his emotions on the golf course and reach a peak of performance at the right time.
As a player and a captain Nick Faldo has been single-minded and determined. His wildcard picks perhaps caught people by surprise – I am sure Colin Montgomerie will be missed – but Ian Poulter has had a good year, and Paul Casey's game is coming together just at the right time.
Sergio will be the joker in the pack, but I can tell you that there is nothing he looks forward to more than the Ryder Cup. He really gets very motivated for it – on the morning of the previous Ryder Cup, he was jumping on his bed at the crack of dawn, shouting, ‘it's Ryder Cup time!'.
Of course, all the European players will be pumped up and, having played against all the top Americans, they are definitely not going to be intimidated.
The US team is certainly not a side that the Europeans should fear.
Miguel Angel Jimenez has been playing consistently well and he had another good tournament last week, finishing tied for third in Switzerland. He is very confident, will take on any shot and is just a great guy to have on the team. Lee has found a new confidence in himself and he will be very important to the team.
I played a few holes with Oliver Wilson at the US Open – which unfortunately turned out to be my last for the season – and I was very impressed with him. There's not many weaknesses in his game, and he came through the American college system so he knows what it's like to play in the USA.
Graeme McDowell is another new name and is there on merit, while Henrik Stenson is a player who is always consistent. Robert Karlsson is a quiet fellow but again very solid, while Soren Hansen probably has the best swing in the entire team.
In my view, Justin Rose should have played in the Ryder Cup before now. I am sure he will be itching to get going and prove himself by picking up some points for Europe.
As for the Americans, if you're missing the best player in the world, then obviously that has an effect on your team. Despite the fact that he has a decent Ryder Cup record rather than a spectacular one, Tiger Woods will still be missed. But that is no reason to count the Americans out. You have to respect them, and the fact is that they are all great players. They are going to be extremely hungry to win this Ryder Cup and I fully expect them to compete very hard.
The American captain, Paul Azinger – just as determined as Nick – always said that he wanted to pick people who had won, or come close to winning during the year. His four picks appear to have been based on that idea so Steve Stricker was an obvious choice. Chad Campbell has played in the last two Ryder Cups so therefore has the experience. JB Holmes is a home-state favourite as he's from Kentucky, while Hunter Mahan is another accomplished player.
However, in terms of caps, the American team is less experienced than the Europeans, so they will be looking to the likes of Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink and Jim Furyk for inspiration.
But who will win? The Americans certainly don't have a side which the Europeans should fear. But you can never rule out the team on home soil. Of one thing I am certain, it will be a closely contested Cup."
