07 May 2024 , 13:20
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Luke Donald's Ryder Cup preparation is well underway for 2025, after the European captain took to the Bethpage Black course alongside his assistant Edoardo Molinari on Monday.
Donald will become the first Ryder Cup skipper since Bernard Gallacher in 1995 to captain in back-to-back events, with the former world No. 1 returning to his post in the United States next Autumn. Donald led Europe to victory on home soil last October, as his team defeated their American rivals 16.5-11.5 at Marco Simone.
And while his title defence is still 16 months away, the Englishman has already kicked his Bethpage homework after playing the New York track alongside vice-captain Molinari. Meanwhile, his American rivals are yet to even announce their captain for the event next year after a disappointing display in Italy.
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The man hotly-tipped with leading Team USA's revival on home soil is the great Tiger Woods, who has competed in eight Ryder Cups during his career, winning 13 matches and losing 21. Woods revealed he was entering talks with PGA of America boss Seth Waugh to captain his country in the aftermath of his return at last month's Masters.
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Speaking at Augusta National in April, the 15-time major champion revealed: "It's something that Seth and I are going to sit back and talk about it after this event. I said I'm going to be busy for a couple weeks, so let me focus on getting through this week and hopefully getting another jacket, and then we can sit back and talk about it next week."
Four weeks on though an announcement regarding the captaincy is yet to be made, with Woods and the PGA of America remaining tight-lipped. Over on the European side, the trip to Bethpage has only added to their 2025 prep, with Donald already appointing two vice-captains to his staff.
Luke Donald will be hoping to defend the Ryder Cup (Getty Images)Alongside Molinari, another one of Donald's trusty assistants who served him in Rome has returned in 2018 captain Thomas Bjorn. The reappointment of Bjorn was revealed last month, with the Dane boasting a whole host of Ryder Cup experience both on and off the course.
“I am very excited to have Thomas back on the team," Donald said of his vice-captain."Once I was appointed as captain again, my thoughts quickly went to who I wanted to have in the backroom staff. And Thomas certainly was one of those. He means a lot to me. He's passed on his knowledge and I've had a great relationship with him over the last few years.
“He means a lot to me. He's passed on his knowledge and I've had a great relationship with him over the last few years. To have those relationships, to enjoy the people you're spending time with along that journey is really important." Donald and his team will hope to win their first Ryder Cup away from home since 2012, which saw Jose Maria Olazabal's side complete the famous Miracle at Medinah triumph.