No LIV Golf involvement at Ryder Cup? Luke Donald says think again!

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald is "sure" LIV Golf caddie and brother will be with him in Rome.

25 Apr 2023

No LIV Golf involvement at Ryder Cup? Luke Donald says think again!

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald might still be uncertain whether there will be any LIV Golf players in his team come September, but he is fairly certain a LIV Golf caddie will be on his team.

That LIV Golf caddie just happens to be his brother, Christian, who caddies for Brendan Steele who recently moved to LIV Golf from the PGA Tour.

In a recent interview with Golfweek, Donald says he would like his brother to form part of his support staff as Europe look to wrestle back the Ryder Cup from the United States in Italy this September.

Christian has been on the bag for Steele the past few years but has recently raked in a load of cash as a result of his boss finishing fifth and third in the first two events of the LIV Golf League season.

Caddies are typically on between 5 and 10% of a player's tournament earnings, and Steele has already amassed several million dollars so far this season.

Steele represents Phil Mickelson's Hy Flyers team, which also comprises Cameron Tringale and James Piot.

Donald is more than happy for his brother to be raking in as much Saudi cash as possible on LIV Golf.

The European Ryder Cup captain told Golfweek:

"No feelings, really. For someone who is 51 and has two kids under four, it’s a great opportunity for him. He’s going to know his schedule, he’s going to have guaranteed money, he’s going to travel less and be around his family. In terms of that, it’s a bonus. You go where your player goes."

Donald added:

"I’ll miss seeing him a little bit more. I’m sure he’ll be at the Ryder Cup, too."

Asked if Christian would be helping him out in some way at Marco Simone this September, Donald said:

"I hope so. We haven’t had a formal discussion but he was my buggy (cart) driver the last two times I served as vice captain. There are different roles as a captain, but yeah, I think he’ll be there in some sort of role."

As for LIV Golf player involvement at the Ryder Cup, it remains to be seen what happens there especially now members must continue to pay fines should they want to compete in DP World Tour events.

LIV Golf pros recently lost their case against the DP World Tour.

Donald also needs to consider whether he will want to pick any LIV players in his team, especially given the frosty relationships many have developed with players already who are already locks in the European Ryder Cup team such as Rory McIlroy.

US Ryder Cup Zach Johnson recently explained "no decisions have been made" their end as to whether LIV Golf players will join the team.

Brooks Koepka revealed last week at LIV Golf Adelaide he will be "ready" to compete in the Ryder Cup should he be required.

If Steele suddenly caught a hot streak in the majors this season and played his way into the reckoning for a pick on the US Ryder Cup team, then Donald's brother Christian would have an almighty headache as to which side to support!

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