Luke Donald aims fresh dig at USA over being paid at Ryder Cup
Luke Donald has aimed another shot at Team USA over their decision to be paid at the Ryder Cup 2025 by emphasising how Team Europe are “fuelled by something money cannot buy”.
The United States players will be compensated for the first time ever in the biennial contest at Bethpage Black in New York.
But after Europe’s players snubbed the chance to be paid too, Donald opted to take a swipe at their rivals during the opening ceremony.
“The Ryder Cup means so much to each and everyone of us,” said European captain Donald in his speech at Wednesday’s opening ceremony. “It is unlike anything else in our sport.
Jack Rathborn25 September 2025 07:21
Ryder Cup pairings set to be announced at Bethpage
Good morning and welcome to the Independent’s coverage of the Ryder Cup 2025 on what promises to be a wet and miserable day at Bethpage, New York.
Heavy rain is forecasted throughout Thursday, which caused the opening ceremony to be moved forward by 24 hours.
But Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald will announce their pairings still at 4pm ET (9pm BST) ahead of Friday morning’s foursomes.
We’ll also hear from a number of Europe and USA players, including Rory McIlroy and Bryson De Chambeau.
Jack Rathborn25 September 2025 07:00
European star Ludvig Aberg yet to embrace Viktor Hovland’s passion for UFOs
Ludvig Aberg would relish the chance to link up with Viktor Hovland again at the Ryder Cup – but is yet to embrace his passion for UFO-spotting.
The two Scandinavians combined to devastating effect in Rome two years ago, most notably when they crushed world number one Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka nine and seven in foursomes.
Aberg, 25, had only turned professional three months before the event but, such was his impact, he was fast-tracked into Luke Donald’s side and immediately found a kindred spirit in Norwegian Hovland.
The Swede said: “We’re good friends. We speak the same language, we come from a very similar background. Obviously Norway and Sweden are very close in terms of the cultural environment.
Jack Rathborn24 September 2025 08:36