Now listen, I’m not going to get too ahead of myself. But with the Ryder Cup coming up, you can’t help but think Luke Donald will be quietly pleased about how well the Europeans have been playing at Augusta.
In fact, Donald has been spotted at Augusta this week and will no doubt be relishing how well European golfers have been playing at the start of the 2025 PGA Tour season.
Of the 16 tournaments that have been played since the start of 2025, six events have been won by European players, with Rory McIlroy winning two of those.
Sepp Straka was the first, clinching The American Express back in January, Thomas Detry dazzled for his first PGA Tour victory at the WM Phoenix Open. A week later Ludvig Aberg claimed victory at the Genesis Invitational before Viktor Hovland bounced back from an indifferent vein of form to win the Valspar Championship.
While the Europeans lead the US contingent now 6 wins to five on the PGA Tour, their form in the majors has left a lot wanting.
The last European to win a major was Rahm in 2023, with the US stars dominating at the last seven majors.
‘Seven in a row from the US is not ideal,’ Donald told Mail Sport. ‘Again, it would be great just to keep that vibe and the momentum going with a European win. It doesn’t have to be this week but at least one of the majors going into Bethpage.
‘They won quite a few before Rome and it didn’t make a difference.
‘Individual versus team – it is a different mindset. Majors versus Ryder Cup. It is not necessary but it would certainly be very nice.’
This week, Justin Rose has excelled to lead heading into both Friday and Saturday.
McIlroy endured an underwhelming start but brought himself back into contention in his second round, showcasing his scrambling play to head into the clubhouse at -6.
Shane Lowry has enjoyed an excellent season on the PGA Tour and impressed with his short game at Augusta to finish on Friday T5.
Rasmus Hojgaard and Tyrrell Hatton have also both been excellent.
Winning in the States will be a tough ask for Luke Donald’s men, considering the calibre of American players they’re up against but from what they’ve been showing in the first quarter of the season, the European stars are certainly here to play.
