Luke Donald on former Ryder Cup skipper: "I still believe Paul got it wrong"

Ryder Cup skipper Luke Donald says he still believes Paul McGinley was wrong not to take him to the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

Ben Smith

31 Aug 2023

Luke Donald on former Ryder Cup skipper: "I still believe Paul got it wrong" — Luke Donald on former Ryder Cup skipper: "I still believe Paul got it…

Luke Donald says he believes Paul McGinley still made the wrong decision not take him to the 2014 Ryder Cup.

The European skipper made the revelation to Telegraph Sport before this week's final qualifying event in Switzerland.

As many as seven players are vying for the two remaining spots via the European and world points list.

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre leads the way on the European points list with England's Matthew Fitzpatrick looking to join Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton.

Yannik Paul, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, Rasmus Hojgaard and Adrian Otaegui are the only men who can catch MacIntyre.

Donald will name his wildcard picks on 4 September ahead of the 44th Ryder Cup which begins on 29 September.

His counterpart Zach Johnson selected his six captain's picks on 29 August.

Which (likely) US pairing will prove toughest to beat at the Ryder Cup?
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) August 31, 2023

The Englishman will undoubtedly face some tough decisions just like every captain before him.

But according to the report by James Corrigan, the Englishman has more than a streak of ruthlessness in him.

That was illustrated in comments made by Paul Casey where the Englishman explained he was shocked Donald decided not to partner with him at the 2006 World Cup.

Donald and Casey won the event in 2005 but 12 months later the former World No.1 decided to play the event with David Howell after the latter slid down the world rankings.

Luke Donald on former Ryder Cup skipper:

"I can't pretend I wasn't gutted," Casey said, describing his feelings at the time of none other than 'shock'.

Donald, too, has experienced disappointment when it comes to the Ryder Cup.

McGinley was in charge of Europe at the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. Europe defeated the U.S. 16.5 to 11.5.

The Irishman went with Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Stephen Gallacher as his three captain's picks.

It would have hurt even more considering Donald was part of the Miracle at Medinah.

Donald told the publication:

"It hit me hard, I was devastated and, no, I didn't understand it. If I can be honest, I still believe Paul got it wrong.

"But Paul only did it because he thought it was the right thing to do in terms of winning and Europe did win — pretty comfortably — that year. So you can't fault him and of course, I realised it was not personal.

"Whoever I pick, and whoever just misses out, I will assure them the same. It's the bad part of the job, but can be the most important part of the job, and I will not take it lightly. Anything but, considering what I went through."

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