Playing on hostile away courses is tough, and Bethpage Black will test Europe. With rare wins on US soil, the challenge is steep, but vice-captain Thomas Bjorn believes Captain Luke Donald can lead the squad to flip the script. Having guided Rory McIlroy and team to victory in 2018, Bjorn has insider insight—and sees hope ahead of the showdown.
In the Beyond The Clubhouse podcast, Bjorn discussed the major challenges the European team might face, especially in the away crowds of New York. The vice-captain said on a podcast, “When you’re an away team in the biggest sports matches in the world—whatever sport it is—you have to understand you’re not going to be the most popular guy there, and you’ve got to deal with that.” The crowds obviously won’t be the loudest for the European challengers. Coupled with the challenges of teeing it up on unfamiliar greens, and only 4 wins on away soil since 1987 for the European squad, makes all the more sense.
Bjorn believes Luke Donald’s leadership is exactly what Europe needs. When asked about factoring in the New York challenge, he backed the captain fully: “Luke’s always on it. He’ll have great ideas, and he’s on the ball when it comes to what he wants to do.” Bjorn added that Donald is already working on pairings and strategies, saying, “He’s well aware of the challenges ahead and he’s dealing with them head-on. He makes good decisions—he seems to do that every time. So I’m quite confident he’s the right man to lead this.”
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It appears that McIlroy & Co. have full faith and confidence in each other’s abilities. This brings forward a rare example of team coherence and unity. Moreover, the talent-laden roster all look to be on good terms with their games and mental attitudes heading to Bethpage. As Bjorn talked about playing on the hostile away, “Great players seem to feed off that at times.” And with the confidence the team is showing, it doesn’t seem a far-off assumption for the team.
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Bjorn emphasized the challenges the European squad is bound to face. However, he put more emphasis on their need to stick together as a team and count on each other. This is a quality that has attracted praise from fans and golf insiders alike. Bjorn’s statements prove that the Ryder Cups are as much of a battleground for national pride as it is a test ground for the players’ skills. And apparently, victory is not as important as showing up and giving their best. That sentiment was clear when Bjorn added, “We’re well aware of how tough away Ryder Cups are these days. We’ll just go and do what we can, and do our best to create the best possible environment for those 12 to play their best golf.”
In the end, Bjorn’s message is clear. The team knows the Ryder Cup won’t be a forgiving or easy feat this year. However, even amid the hostile conditions of the away soil, Luke Donald’s leadership keeps guiding the team. Apparently, Bjorn is confident that Donald’s captaincy gives the European squad a winning chance despite all odds.
The European squad under Captain Luke Donald
Returning to the captain’s role for the second consecutive edition, Luke Donald brought the 2023 glory to Europe at Rome. Garnering a lot of praise and attention from the media, Donald maintained strong harmony among the team. Donald put together a team bound by chemistry and years of tee experience. He placed his trust in his backroom team, too, leaning on vice-captain Edoardo Molinari, whose data-driven insights delivered outstanding results and set the tone for Europe’s dominant performance. That led to a dominating 16½-11½ victory against the American roster.
Returning to the Ryder Cup stages, now at Bethpage, not much has changed in the team’s appearance. Not only are 11 of the 12 players returning to the team, but their attitude looks pretty much the same, as well. Behind the scenes, Luke Donald’s experienced backroom, including trusted vice-captains like Thomas Bjørn, continues to foster strong chemistry, ensuring the team remains cohesive and ready to perform under his steady leadership.
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However, Donald has made it clear that Captain Keegan Bradley should brace for surprises. While almost the entire team remains the same, the pairings will not be a repeated set from last year. Rather, they would come from meticulous planning, pairing players based on their compatibility, experience, and personality. “Just because we have a very similar team it doesn’t mean we are going to roll out the same pairings or the same lineup in foursomes and ­fourballs,” Donald said. “I think over a two-year period, these players do change. Their profiles change and we’ll adapt to that.
With a blend of strong team chemistry, returning talent, and Donald’s impeccable leadership, Thomas Bjorn’s confidence feels well-placed. Heading to Bethpage, Team Europe looks intentional on flipping their away soil stats. Now it’s only a matter of time until the results surface.