‘I Wouldn’t be doing a Henrik’ Luke Donald Promises to Fulfil Ryder Cup Captain Duties if Selected

Luke Donald has coined a new phrase as he expected to be confirmed as Henrik Stenson’s replacement as Europe’s Ryder Cup in Italy 2023.

Donald, former World #1 and having never lost as part of four Ryder Cup teams, has said he ‘would love’ the opportunity to captain Europe and assured us he would see the job through and ‘wouldn’t be doing a Henrik’, defecting to the LIV Series and abandoning his post. ESPN has claimed that Donald was offered a broadcast role in the breakaway LIV Series but had turned it down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Luke Donald (@lukedonald)

Donald’s message appears bitter. Or perhaps, he could have been more magnanimous.

But his attitude likely reflects that of Europe’s team set-up as a whole, their captain Stenson up and leaving the team despite making a commitment to what is arguably the greatest honor for a European player.

Europe’s team will be disappointed and resent Stenson’s decision, as it risks watering down what the Ryder Cup means to players and shows that everyone has their price to abandon ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Luke Donald (@lukedonald)

If selected, Luke Donald has a big job to do if confirmed, picking the right support team, whether to go for a horses for courses approach with his selections or focus on form; youth vs. experience, kit selection, and all the quandaries that face the captains in events of this magnitude. He must also reiterate to the players that he is here to see the job through and to put on a convincing, competitive display.

As a man who fought back to achieve the impossible and win in Medinah 2012, he carries all the necessary accolades to convince the players what it means to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup and to promise not to do a Henrik!

Cover Image Via Golf Channel