Luke Donald injury report as he WDs from 3rd round of World Wide Technology Championship after back injury
British golfer Luke Donald has withdrawn from the third round of the ongoing WWT Championship after a back injury. The 2025 Ryder Cup captain had a score of 3-under after the end of two rounds.
Donald started his campaign on Saturday on hole no. 10. He hit three birdies and carded a bogey as well as a double bogey. The 46-year-old was even par through 13 holes when he withdrew from the WWT Championship in Mexico.
Luke Donald's T-68 at the 2024 PGA Championship is his only made cut from his last six starts this year. He will lead the European side next year at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
"We will be the underdogs" - Luke Donald on the 2025 Ryder Cup
After a successful 2023 campaign, Luke Donald will return as the European captain at the 2025 Ryder Cup. This time, however, the event will be held on enemy grounds at Bethpage Black in New York, United States.
At a press conference with the team captains last month, Donald answered a question wondering if the European team will be the underdog next year (via ASAP Sports).
"When you're playing an away Ryder Cup, I think you have to be the underdog. Just looking historically, Whistling Straits, the result there was very one-sided. Hazeltine was pretty one-sided; Valhalla. You know, we were fortunate to come back at Medinah."
He further added:
"But the last few times we've played away, the results have been pretty one-sided towards the US. Yes, in a tough environment, we will be the underdogs."
The last time Europe won a Ryder Cup on US soil was in 2014 at Medinah, Illinois. Teams undoubtedly have a slight edge when they are playing at home. Donald said:
"You know, it's one of the hardest things to do is to win an away Ryder Cup, and I'm going to have to adapt a little bit. Some of the advantages I had with home crowd support, I've lost that advantage. Setting up the golf course, I've lost that advantage."
With the next Ryder Cup less than a year away, it will be interesting to see how both teams shape up.