Luke Donald says what Europe’s players all did after winning the 2023 Ryder Cup that was the highlight of his career

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Luke Donald is once again Team Europe captain at the Ryder Cup, but this time faces a new challenge against Keegan Bradley.

Donald is happy with the Ryder Cup qualification criteria, with Team Europe having had no LIV Golf players in Rome last year.

Team Europe beat Team USA 16½-11½ in the Italian capital last time out, with Donald somewhat unsurprisingly awarded the captaincy for the 2025 Ryder Cup thanks to his previous success.

Upcoming hosts Team USA have now gone down a different route, with Bradley taking over the main role from Zach Johnson.

Donald wants a ‘high-energy environment’ at the Ryder Cup, which takes place at Bethpage Black next September.

Luke Donald looks back on the highlight of his career at 2023 Ryder Cup

The Englishman is his side’s first repeat captain since Bernard Gallacher, who led Team Europe at the 1991, 1993 and 1995 editions.

Confirming that statistic in his latest Ryder Cup press conference, Donald noted: “That’s correct. And it’s great to be here in New York. Just an amazing city, amazing energy, and to have this opportunity to be captain again for Europe is really special.

READ MORE: Keegan Bradley reveals the promise he has made to himself ahead of next year’s Ryder Cup

“It’s really a great honour, a blessing. I’ve said it many times that that moment when we won in Rome was the best and the highlight of my career, and to hear those 12 guys shout two more years was certainly, for me, a personal moment of joy and honour that they would want me to come back and represent them again as captain.

“So I’m very excited about the opportunity to be here in New York, and I can’t wait for it to all kick off in just under a year’s time.”

Can Luke Donald clinch back-to-back Ryder Cup wins?

Back-to-back Ryder Cup captain Donald will now be looking for back-to-back wins, aiming to follow in the footsteps of Jose Maria Olazabal.

The Spaniard led Team Europe to a remarkable victory at Medinah in 2012, which also represents the last time it was won away from home.

Donald can certainly be relaxed ahead of the tournament at Bethpage Black, with all of the pressure on home captain Bradley.

READ MORE: US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley shares what he’s only just realised about Phil Mickelson

The Team USA skipper can, of course, still play at the event, but it remains to be seen what role he lands on this time next year.

Fans of the home side will be expecting nothing less than a USA victory, but the travelling players will have other ideas as they look to spoil the party.