Inside Luke Donald's 'surreal' rise to Ryder Cup captaincy: 'Our team love him'

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Ryder Cup insiders explain what makes Europe's captain tick

. “He has achieved a huge amount. Only six or seven [six] players have been world No 1 longer than he has. He was consistently the best. He is understated. He doesn’t need to talk himself up. You only need to see the reaction of the players, from global superstars, to know he had their respect. They can see how seriously he takes it. He has a minute for everyone. He is incredible thoughtful and thorough. He likes to get everything right. I have worked with captains in the past.

Donald’s Ryder Cup resume is gold-plated, winning in all four events as a player and once as a vice-captain. His only reverse came two years ago as a vice-captain in. For 56 weeks across 2011 and 2012 Donald was the highest-ranked player on the planet. So relentlessly good was he that 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke felt embarrassed to have his name shortlisted alongside Donald’s for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.

As a central figure at IMG, Kinnings has represented many of Donald’s predecessors as captain. He is, and has been, one of golf’s great fixers, influential and respected. But this feels different. He assumed his role as Ryder Cup director following the retirement of Richard Hills in 2018. His tenure began with the walloping at Whistling Straits. Tough desirable, he doesn’t need Europe to win in the same way the players do. It hurt to lose Stenson, with whom Kinnings worked at IMG.

 

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