Luke Donald responds to reporter's question about 'sleeping with the enemy'
European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald shrugged off a question about 'sleeping with the enemy' after confirming his picks for the opening session in Italy.
ROME - European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald shrugged off a reporter's question with ease about 'sleeping with the enemy' after announcing his opening pairings for the Friday foursomes.
Donald and his United States counterpart Zach Johnson confirmed their picks on Friday afternoon in the glorious Italian sunshine.
In the opening match World No.1 Scottie Scheffler and rookie Sam Burns will kick things off against two fiery competitors: 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.
Perhaps the most in-form player in the planet - Norway's Viktor Hovland - and young Swede Ludvig Aberg will square off against Max Homa and Brian Harman.
Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka will play Collin Morikawa and Rickie Fowler.
The final match will be played between Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy against Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay.
Donald met with the media immediately after the opening ceremony to explain the thought process behind his picks.
Plans can change, but the Englishman said he will use all 12 of his players on day one.
Donald, his team, vice captains and their wives and girlfriends dazzled at an extravagant gala dinner on Wednesday evening.
The skipper was joined by his wife Diane. Her parents are Greek but she was brought up in Chicago.
A reporter jokingly put it to Donald that he was, for lack of a better term, 'sleeping with the enemy'.
So is she supporting Team Europe? Donald paused and said: "Of course."
For full context, the reporter asked Donald: "Sorry to hit you with this on the eve of the tournament, but following exhaustive investigations, it's come to our attention you've got an American wife. And the phrase sleeping with the enemy comes to mind. So I just wonder how tricky is it going to be this week for you? I wonder if you talk in your sleep?"
He replied:
So she wants Europe to win? Donald said: "Of course."
"It's what I've seen all year"
Aside from awkward exchanges, Donald was pressed on why he decided to throw rookie Aberg straight into the opening foursomes.
Explaining the Hovland and Aberg partnership, he added: "I'm very impressed with both of these players. They're very steady players.
"Obviously Ludvig's driving, the few tournaments he played on the PGA Tour, he was the number one driver in all of golf, ahead of Rory McIlroy, ahead of Scottie Scheffler in the rankings.
"We know driving is important this week and in foursomes, if you're in the short stuff, it's going to make life a lot easier."
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