Donald delighted, but sympathetic

Luke Donald celebrated his Ryder Cup call-up tonight – but sympathised with Paul Casey and Justin Rose.
Luke Donald celebrated his Ryder Cup call-up tonight – but sympathised with Paul Casey and Justin Rose.
After a closing 68 at The Barclays in New Jersey, where he began with six straight birdies and posted a front nine 28, Donald had five bogeys and another birdie in the last eight holes.
“I found out after I finished the 10th hole,” he said. “I’m obviously delighted – it was very up in the air.
“I t’s been one of the craziest selections for the Ryder Cup ever when guys in the top 10 in the world (himself and Casey) didn’t know they were playing.
“There were very anxious moments today and some relief and I’m very excited to be back in the team and part of the Ryder Cup again.” He missed the last game following wrist surgery.
“I feel bad for the guys that didn’t make it. I think how it went this year the European team has to look harder at the qualification system and whether it’s the correct way to do it or whether there is a better way.
“Golf is becoming a world game and I understand they want to protect the European Tour, but at the same time the top guys are going to want to play against the best players in the world no matter what and you shouldn’t be penalised for that.
“It did throw me off a little bit. I feel bad especially for Paul, being number nine in the world, third at the Open, great match play record – and with my brother on the bag I was disappointed for him as well.
“It did throw me off a little bit I was trying to get that out of my head and just play golf, but I didn’t do a very good job on the back nine.
“A lot of things happened that haven’t happened for a while – two guys winning majors threw it off a little bit.
“In a way it was a good problem for Monty, in a way I feel bad he had to leave some people out too.
“Perhaps the Tour has to look at the selection process – if they win it’s very beneficial for the European Tour both in image and financially so I think it’s in their best interests that they have the best side.
“Hats off to Molinari, winning two big events he probably deserved it. I’m not sure if Monty was even watching my front nine.
“We all have responsibilities to both tours if we play over here. You can’t fault a person for setting their schedule as best they think they can.”
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2008: Ryder Cup misery in Louisville for Nick Faldo’s Europe
Faldo was heavily criticised for his tactics in the closing singles.
-
Lucas Glover edges past Patrick Cantlay to claim back-to-back Tour wins
Glover, 43, ultimately claimed victory with a par on the 18th hole playoff after Cantlay found water off the tee.
-
Lilia Vu wins second major as Charley Hull comes up short despite stunning eagle
American Vu added the Women’s Open title to her Chevron Championship.
-
Lucas Glover holds onto lead in Memphis with Tommy Fleetwood two strokes behind
Glover said it was a scrappy day but he got ‘a lot out of’ what he had.
-
Charley Hull shares lead with Lilia Vu heading into final day of Women’s Open
The pair are nine under for the tournament.
-
On This Day in 2007 – Tiger Woods claims 13th major with victory in Oklahoma
The world number one successfully defended his US PGA Championship title.
-
Ally Ewing out to emulate Brian Harman with Open win
The pair share their southern roots, passion for hunting and college teams named the Bulldogs.
-
Ally Ewing storms clear during second round of AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath
At 10 under par Ewing enjoyed a five-shot lead over compatriot Andrea Lee and Japan’s Minami Katsu.
-
Jordan Spieth leads by one after first round of FedEx St Jude Championship
England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai are the best of the British contingent, closing out Thursday on four under par.
-
Rory McIlroy delighted with Tiger Woods’ role on PGA Tour’s policy board
Woods, 47, has not played since withdrawing from April’s Masters and concedes his playing opportunities will be extremely limited going forward.