Team Europe have claimed back-to-back victories in the Ryder Cup, and some of their success might be attributed to the way team captain Luke Donald took care of the players throughout the tournament.
The Europeans earned a 15-13 victory over the Americans after holding off a late surge during Sunday’s singles matches, ensuring the cup remained on the eastern side of the Atlantic following their 2023 win in Rome.
The victory sees the 47-year-old Donald enter the record books as one of the most successful captains in Team Europe’s Ryder Cup history, becoming the first captain, and only second-ever, to lead his team to home-and-away successes since the 1985 and 1987 wins.
Those wins were led by the legendary Tony Jacklin, who also oversaw the 14-14 tie in 1989, which saw Team Europe retain the title for a third consecutive time.
Jacklin is credited with revitalising the Ryder Cup, and Donald looks to have taken inspiration from him in the way he approached taking care of the players for the 2025 edition of the tournament.
Luke Donald’s Approach to Looking After His Team
Jacklin first took charge of Team Europe for the 1983 tournament, with the team having previously had no captain. When he was appointed, he wanted to make a difference and ensure the team were comfortable. He made a list of demands, including quality clothes and having caddies travel with the team, and while Europe lost 14½-13½, it gave the team hope for a successful future to come.
Donald, 40 years on from Europe’s sensational victory in 1985, seemingly took a leaf out of Jacklin’s book and set about providing his team with better conditions after finding their hotel accommodation not quite up to scratch.
Speaking to reporters after his team’s victory, he explained: “My job is literally to give these guys a better chance to win. It can be as simple as some very small things.
“I’ll give you an example. At the hotel rooms this week, the doors to our hotel rooms had a big crack that let in light. We brought things that covered the light. We put different shampoos that had a better smell.”
He added: “We changed the bedding because the beds weren’t very good, and they just had sheets, and we created much nicer beds, so guys could sleep. They could have more energy. Those are just little things. I’m going into some really small details.
“It’s just taking the time and having the care that you want to do everything you can to kind of give these guys the best opportunity. You want to create an environment where they can succeed.”
He concluded: “These are 12 amazing players, we know that. You’re just trying to, again, put them in a position where they feel comfortable.”
While Donald did not mention Jacklin and his approach, it isn’t hard to see the parallels between the two and the success that they have both brought to Team Europe.
This sort of approach and care could see Donald considered for the captaincy for the 2027 tournament, should he want it, which would allow him to attempt to succeed Jacklin’s own success, further cementing his place among the greats of the sport.