Donald: Why I turned down LIV Golf
Newly-appointed Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald joining LIV Golf? In fact, he’s already turned them down once
Any concerns about whether or not Luke Donald will follow predecessor to the LIV Golf ranks have been extinguished.
Indeed, Europe’s new Ryder Cup captain has already turned down the chance to join the breakaway league.
Before his appointment, Donald pledged his “complete loyalty” to the job – and even took the opportunity to make a sly dig at his Swedish counterpart, who was sacked from the role after just 128 days, choosing instead to take the Saudi payday.
Donald revealed that Greg Norman offered him a role as a TV analyst rather than as a player, something the Englishman took as a tremendous insult.
The former World No 1 said he “turned that down pretty quickly”.
He added: “[It was] a little bit of a slight on my game. I know I haven’t played that great, so thanks but no thanks.”
Even when appointed to lead the team in Rome, he couldn’t resist a subtle pop.
“Some of my best experiences in golf have been in the Ryder Cup and I would not swap those for anything,” he said. “It is an event like no other and I cannot wait to create more special memories in Italy next year.
“I love everything the Ryder Cup embodies, from the camaraderie and companionship of being part of a team, to the history of the contest, but most of all playing for something bigger than yourself.
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Alex Perry
Alex has been the editor of National Club Golfer since 2017. A Devonian who enjoys wittering on about his south west roots, Alex moved north to join NCG after more than a decade in London, the last five of which were with ESPN. Away from golf, Alex follows Torquay United and spends too much time playing his PlayStation or his guitar and not enough time practising his short game.
