Luke Donald calls team play the ‘future’ of Ryder Cup for one big reason in his latest statement

Europe Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald believes that team play is the future of the prestigious biennial tournament after the conclusion of 2025 Team Cup in Abu Dhabi. The Team Cup follows a similar format as the Ryder Cup.

Great Britain and Ireland secured a lopsided win over Continental Europe, 17-8. The Justin Rose-led team had an incredible outing in the foursomes and led with a margin of 11-4 going into the final round on Sunday. The Team Cup requires a side to earn 13 points to win the title. Great Britain and Ireland needed two points in the singles matches to win the tournament.

All eyes had been on the event, especially with the Ryder Cup slated to take place in September this year. Luke Donald believes that despite the one-sided event, the Team Cup was "valuable" in Team Europe's preparation for the Ryder Cup (via the BBC):

"I think it has been a very valuable week for everyone involved - all the players, myself and the vice-captains. We learned a lot a couple of years ago and we are continuing to learn for the challenge we have ahead of us in New York"

He further added:

"We have been testing out some stuff in terms of messaging and getting it across to players what it is going to be like and what it means to be part of a Ryder Cup."

---

Luke Donald on preparing "future Ryder Cup captains"

Luke Donald and Justin Rose at the Team Cup (Source: Getty)

Luke Donald believes that the Team Cup is a great way to prepare "future Ryder Cup" captains and give them a feel of what it is like. He has also been left very impressed with Justin Rose's captaincy as he led Great Britain and Ireland to a thundering victory in the Team Cup.

Rose is reportedly beign viewed as the likely heir to the throne after Donald at the 2027 Ryder Cup. Donald appreciated his leadership (via Golf Monthly):

"A little part of the process is to get these guys who might be future Ryder Cup captains in the mix and kind of feel what it’s like to be a captain and to put playing on top of that is not easy as well. I think Justin found that. I think he had one hour’s sleep one night. It’s just a lot going on in your head and you’re trying to think things through."

The Ryder Cup carries a strong legacy in golf. Luke Donald believes that tournaments like the Team Cup will make the players understand the importance and significance of competing in the biennial event.

"That’s all part of it, to sort of prepare these guys the future Ryder Cup captaincies and prepare these players, hopefully, to be ready for New York, but if not the next one, and the next one after that. We're trying to build a legacy and get these plays really inspired by what it would mean to play in a Ryder Cup."

The 2025 Ryder Cup will take place at Bethpage Black, New York in September. Europe will be coming to the US as defending champion having won the title in Rome two years ago.