Luke Donald is excited about the recent success of European golfers and hopes this positive trend continues as they prepare for the Ryder Cup. With the US PGA Championship happening this week, he believes Europe’s momentum could carry on.
European Golfers Making Their Mark
Just last Sunday, Sepp Straka clinched his second PGA TOUR title at the Truist Championship, marking a significant achievement for the Austrian golfer. Straka’s victory puts him alongside Rory McIlroy as one of the only golfers with multiple wins on this side of the Atlantic this year. The strong showing from European players is clear, with five of the top ten finishers at The Philadelphia Cricket Club being from Europe.
Shane Lowry, who will partner with Straka at the Ryder Cup later this year, finished tied for second place, while Tommy Fleetwood came in tied for fourth, and both Stephan Jaeger and McIlroy shared seventh place. Unlike earlier this year at the American Express Championship, which didn’t offer Ryder Cup points, Straka’s recent win boosts his chances of making the team once again after debuting in Italy two years ago. He is now ranked ninth in the Official World Golf Ranking, one spot ahead of Lowry.
Straka, along with McIlroy, has brought attention to the strong European presence in the sport, as has fellow Ryder Cup players Ludvig Åberg and Viktor Hovland, not to mention Belgian rookie Thomas Detry, who has also found success in the US this season. McIlroy recently achieved the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters, underscoring Europe’s competitive edge.
On the DP World Tour, younger talents are also making waves, with Laurie Canter aiming for his first Ryder Cup appearance and Tyrrell Hatton improving his chances after a win in Dubai. As the top golfers assemble at Quail Hollow Club, a place where McIlroy has triumphed four times, Donald feels optimistic about Europe’s prospects for the Ryder Cup.
“It’s fantastic to see potential team members consistently performing well against the toughest competition,” Donald remarked before the championship. He acknowledged the bittersweet nature of competition, as many excellent players will inevitably miss out on the Ryder Cup spot. However, he is thrilled to see so many Europeans excelling.
Currently, 11 of the top 30 players worldwide are Europeans, with nine having Ryder Cup experience. With still two majors and more events on the calendar, there are plenty of opportunities for players to secure their spots on the team for the upcoming Ryder Cup in New York.
As the competition heats up, Donald is committed to monitoring the performances of players vying for qualification. He expressed his desire for them to seize the moment and perform their best, especially on a challenging course like Quail Hollow. The qualification process will reach a crucial point after the Betfred British Masters in August, where the top six spots will be determined, and the remaining six will be selected by the captain.
Donald is looking forward to seeing how the players handle the pressure and hopes they can continue to elevate their games as they chase Ryder Cup glory.