Luke Donald is just weeks away from captaining Team Europe on home soil at the 2023 Ryder Cup.
The former World No.1 and four-time Ryder Cupper will lead out his European side at Marco Simone looking to regain the trophy after a record defeat at Whistling Straits two years ago.
Since then, there’s been turmoil in the world of golf with the emergence of LIV Golf and a huge loss of experience for the Europeans. Henrik Stenson was briefly captain before being stripped and the likes of Garcia, Poulter, Westwood and McDowell will play no part in this year’s match.
Still, there are plenty of positives for Europe – so what considerations will Donald have ahead of Rome 2023?
How will Europe cope without Poulter and Garcia?
Garcia and Poulter have forged the backbone of the European team for the past two decades
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Had it not been for the emergence of LIV Golf and the sport’s civil war, Sergio Garcia would have been one of the first names on the team sheet. The Spaniard comes alive in the Ryder Cup and is the record points scorer. His partnership with Jon Rahm was excellent at Whistling Straits two years ago but Rahm will be without his countryman this time around.
Then there’s Ian Poulter, too. Perhaps he wouldn’t have qualified or justified a wildcard pick this year but he would have almost certainly played a role as a vice captain if not.
Europe are without lots of experience this year, with Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer and the replaced captain Henrik Stenson also all out due to their ties with LIV.
There is still plenty of experience, though, with McIlroy, Rahm and Rose all experienced Ryder Cuppers, former World No.1s and Major winners.
Can he get the best out of McIlroy?
McIlroy was disappointed after delivering one point from his four matches in 2021
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy will come into this year’s Ryder Cup off the back of an excellent season so all signs will point to a positive return for the Northern Irishman who will have to step up as Europe’s on-course leader.
McIlroy will make his seventh Ryder Cup appearance this year after a poor showing in Wisconsin two years ago that resulted in him breaking…
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