"It's a different challenge, different scenario"- Team Europe captain Luke Donald begins preparation for 'away' 2025 Ryder Cup

The 2025 Ryder Cup is almost one year away, but Team Europe captain Luke Donald is already preparing to defend his title. The biennial event will be played at Bethpage Black in New York, USA, from September 26-28 next year.

The fact that it will be played on American soil is no small matter, and Luke Donald has already had to answer questions about it. During the British Masters press conference on Tuesday, August 27, a reporter asked Donald if playing in America had changed any details of his preparation approach.

This was part of what Luke Donald had to say (via ASAP Sports):

"There's certain things that we did last year that will stay in place and there's certain new things that we'll need to put in place because it's a different challenge, different scenario."

He added:

"I think playing away, you know, again, presents different issues so you've got to come with some different things to think about. But yeah, plans are already very much underway."

The 2024 edition of the British Masters will be played at The Belfry, the choice of this year's host, Sir Nick Faldo. Luke Donald has never won this event, but served as host in 2016, when he selected The Grove as the venue.

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Luke Donald's Ryder Cup record at a glance

Luke Donald has a long and illustrious history of Ryder Cup appearances, first as a player and then in management roles. Suffice it to say that Europe has lost only one of Donald's seven Ryder Cup appearances in one role or another.

As a player, Donald left an impressive record in his four Ryder Cup appearances (2004, 2006, 2010, 2012, all European victories). In total, he contributed 10.5 points to the European cause in 15 matches.

His best performance came in 2006 with three points in three matches. His worst result was in 2012, when he scored two points in four matches.

Donald then served as vice-captain on two occasions. The first was in 2018, when he assisted Thomas Bjorn in leading the European team to victory at Le Golf National. The second was in 2021 (his only Ryder Cup defeat to date) when he was vice-captain under Padraig Harrington at Whistling Straits.

In 2023, Donald captained the European team to a brilliant victory at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy. Team Europe defeated the United States 16.5 to 11.5 with several memorable performances, including an unprecedented foursomes sweep on the morning of the first day.

Donald has a career of 23 seasons in professional golf with 17 wins, including five on the PGA Tour and seven on the European Tour. In 2011, he was ranked number one in the world.

However, Donald has never been able to win a major championship. His best finishes were a tie for third at the Masters (2005) and the PGA Championship (2006).