European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has issued a defiant message, asserting that his elite team will not be intimidated by the notoriously boisterous American crowd at Bethpage Black next year.
Donald, who masterminded Europe's stunning victory in Rome, is already plotting to retain the trophy on hostile American soil. He acknowledges the New York fans will be a "loud" and "passionate" challenge but believes his players are more than equipped to handle it.
"These guys are used to it," Donald stated confidently. "Many of them play regularly on the PGA Tour. They've experienced Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups in America before. They know what to expect."
He pointed to the seasoned experience within his squad, highlighting stars like Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Viktor Hovland, who all compete week-in, week-out against the best American players in their own backyard.
Embracing the Hostile Atmosphere
Rather than fearing the atmosphere, Donald sees it as a potential catalyst for his team. He recalled the impressive performances of rookies like Ludvig Åberg and Bob MacIntyre under extreme pressure in Italy, proving their mental fortitude.
"You almost have to use it as fuel," he advised. "The crowd wants to see you miss a putt. They want to see you hit a bad shot. You have to be resilient and use that negativity to your advantage, to prove them wrong."
This mindset of resilience and steely focus will be at the core of Europe's strategy as they prepare to defend the cup against a US team desperate for redemption on home turf.
