Donald came as a Player and Scout

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Luke Donald is holding nothing back in his role as European Ryder Cup Captain. In fact, he’s telling potential rookies who might join his squad come September at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club what they can expect.

I describe it as hopefully the best week of their lives, Donald said Tuesday from the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club, where he will do double duty as captain and player. He’s in the field thanks to a special exemption from the PGA of America. In 2003, Donald missed the cut when the PGA Championship was staged at Oak Hill and finished T-23 on his return to the venue in 2013.

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK – MAY 15: Luke Donald of England plays a shot from a bunker on the eighth hole during a practice round before the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on May 15, 2023 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/PGA of America via Getty Images)

Credit: PGA of America via Getty Images

It was a really good test, Donald said of Oak Hill, which recently underwent a restoration. The rough must be thick. Fairway bunkers, greenside bunkers are very penal. They can switch tees to make this golf course a lot of fun. Playing earlier in the year a little cooler, some strong winds forecast today, there are some very strong holes out there.

This week is for Donald an opportunity to compete in his 15th PGA Championship as it is an opportunity for him to scout first-timers he can tap for his team. Once qualifying is completed on September 3, with the top three players from the World Points List as well as the European Points List gaining qualifying positions, Donald will have six captains picks hell need to make.

I think it’s always good to see how the rookies, potential rookies, do in the major championships. It takes a different kind of mindset, a different kind of nerve, Donald said of how his potential picks handled a key week. The challenge is obviously completely different to what you play week in, week out. Obviously a very strong field this week. So again, a good performance here at a major can go a long way.

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK – MAY 15: (LR) Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, England’s Luke Donald and Ireland’s Shane Lowry walk with their caddies during a practice round ahead of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on May 15 , 2023 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Credit: Getty Images

While Donald didn’t divulge the specific names of the players he’ll be watching at Oak Hill, a quick glance at the points standings shows some players who will undoubtedly be looking to make some noise in the effort to get the attention of the captains.

Hidden just outside the automatic qualifying positions on the European Points List, and in the field at Oak Hill, Viktor Perez at No. 4, Adrian Meronk at No. 5, and Thornbjorn Olesen at No. 7. On the World Points List, Tommy Fleetwood sits at No. 6 and Shane Lowry at No. 7, two veterans who want to play back in the European Team. Both are competing this week.

There are some profiles that match Marco Simone better than others, if some of those rookies and their games match up with the six qualifiers, automatic qualifiers, Donald said of the players he’s considering -for. Experience comes into play, certainly, because Ryder Cups are different, but everyone has to be given a chance at some point.

European Ryder Cup player Luke Donald (left) with his brother and caddy Christian, during the 35th Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Township, Michigan. (Photo by Rebecca Naden – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)

Credit: PA Images via Getty Images

Donald pointed to the first time he was given the opportunity to compete in the Ryder Cup, when Berhard Langer selected him for his team in 2004. The young Englishman was relatively unknown at the time, but Langer told Donald that his game is a good one. suited up for Oakland Hills, where matches were contested that year. This was the first of four winning teams that Donald would join.

The captain is hoping Hell will add another win to his Ryder Cup resume when the matches roll around in September. And regardless of the players he does or doesn’t have to choose from, he has the confidence that hell has a strong team to assemble outside of Rome for what he knows, without a doubt, will be the best week of their lives.

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