The Masters leaderboard was packed with members of his triumphant Ryder Cup team from Rome; Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Aberg, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton and Viktor Hovland. Throw in John Rahm, who fought against an errant driver to make the weekend, and Donald had the core of his team room for Bethpage.
Luke Donald will have plenty to think about after the Masters (Photo: Getty)
He will have been delighted with the dog in Rahm, who, as a consequence of his LIV Golf affiliation, has fallen out of the world rankings equation and, as absurd as it is, is likely to require the captain’s approval unless he adds to his major tally in the next three months.
Of those outside the automatic spots, Rahm, Hovland, a winner again on the PGA Tour this year, Rose and Tommy Fleetwood will be hard to overlook, which leaves two spots to fill. Even if Detry drops out of the automatic spot, Donald is a big admirer so would have to fall a long way not to be seen.
Missing the cut here was not ideal. Donald has made it clear performance in the majors is more persuasive since it replicates to a greater degree the pressures of Ryder Cup competition.
Team Europe rankings – as it stands
The top six ranked players will qualify automatically, with a further six captain’s picks completing the 12-man line-up
Rory McIlroy (2028.75pts) Tyrrell Hatton (922.84) Rasmus Hojgaard (829.03) Shane Lowry (779.43) Ludvig Aberg (650.13) Thomas Detry (595.97) Matt Wallace (556.37) Nicolai Hojgaard (554.03) Tommy Fleetwood (542.25) Laurie Canter (520.62)Points tallies correct as of 13 April via rydercup.com
“I think away you look at experience probably a little more heavier than you would on a home one,” Donald said.
“You need some sort of base of decent play. But looking how they fit the golf course, who they are potentially going to pair up with.
That would bring Matt Fitzpatrick into the equation. Like Rahm and Hovland, Fitzpatrick has suffered an alarming dip post Rome, and dispensed with long-time caddie Billy Foster before the Masters.
Two others who played in Rome, Sepp Straka and Bob MacIntyre both missed the cut, leaving them with work to do to shift the needle, especially as others under the Donald microscope, Aaron Rai and Germany’s Stephan Jaeger comfortably made the weekend at Augusta.
My predicted team for Bethpage: McIlroy, Rahm, Hovland, Hatton, Fleetwood, Lowry, Rose, Aberg, Rasmus Hojgaard, Fitzpatrick, MacIntyre, Straka
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