09 October 2023 , 14:20
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Rory McIlroy has ranked Luke Donald against his six previous Ryder Cup captains, after the Englishman led Team Europe to victory over their American rivals in Rome.
Donald rejuvenated the European camp two years after a record-breaking defeat in Wisconsin, to reclaim the Ryder Cup with a 16.5-11.5 win at Marco Simone. One man who was key to Donald's success was McIlroy, who won four out of five points across the three days, more than any other player.
The European skipper has been heavily praised for his work in the Italian capital, including from McIlroy. Donald was the Northern Irishman's seventh different captain following his debut back in 2010.
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And 13 years on, McIlroy ranked Donald as his second-best captain in that period behind 2014 winning-skipper Paul McGinley. The four-time major champion told Sky Sports : "He's probably the first captain since Paul McGinley, for me, who's really set us up for success.
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"I've always said McGinley was hands down the best captain I've played under, but Luke was a close second to that. Luke treated it like a full-time job, just like McGinley did, just like Thomas Bjorn did. My dad has always said to me 'Rory, anything you do in life, you'll get out of it what you put into it'.
Rory McIlroy had high praise for Luke Donald (Getty Images)"That's always been my approach and looking at Luke that's exactly what happened. He put a tonne into it and the results showed." Following victory in Rome, McIlroy and his teammates called on Donald to lead the Europeans into the 2025 Ryder Cup, as the chant 'two more years!' broke out whilst the former world No. 1 was given his victory speech.
No European captain has led the team in back-to-back Ryder Cups since Bernard Gallacher in 1995, but it seems following success on home soil Donald is open to the idea of heading to Bethpage. "Well obviously I appreciate that from the players," he told Sky Sports.
"We had a great week together. It is a long process, this is not an easy job. I certainly haven’t given it really any thought yet. It’s something I would have to sit down and think about. Of course I would consider it. I’m trying to enjoy this moment right now, enjoy this victory, and then we’ll see what happens in the future.”