Luke Donald adds Ryder Cup legend to Bethpage team

There will be a familiar face in the European Ryder Cup team room when the teams clash in September – though he admits he almost turned it down…

Luke Donald has named Jose Maria Olazabal to his team of assistants for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage.

Olazabal, who led the European team to their last victory on American soil at Medinah in 2012, was one of Donald’s vice-captains last time out in Rome and is the third named by the Englishman ahead of September’s showdown, with 2018 skipper Thomas Bjorn and numbers man Edoardo Molinari already on board.

“It is wonderful news,” Olazabal told the Ryder Cup website. “When Luke approached me and asked me about the possibility of being a vice-captain again, I have to be honest, I thought about it for a while because, you know, being in New York, it’s not going to be easy.

“But the Ryder Cup is very close to my heart. I have wonderful memories about this event, so I said ‘yes’.

“I think Luke did a wonderful job in Rome and I believe he will do a very good job this time round too. He took care of absolutely all the details: players, caddies, families. It was wonderful to see some of the lines he came up with and the images from past champions. It was great also to see him working the way he did during the week, being so close to the players. It was fantastic to be part of that Ryder Cup team.

“It’s really hard to win away from home in the United States. In New York, we know the crowds are going to be very loud and the golf course will be set up in favour of the US team – we’ll have to handle that, too. I think there is not any bigger challenge for a golfer than facing a Ryder Cup away from home and we have to be mentally prepared for that.”

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As well as that memorable stint as captain, Olazabal has also acted as an assistant on four occasions following the conclusion of a playing career that saw the Spaniard return 20 and a half points from 31 matches over seven Ryder Cup matches, as well as forming a formidable partnership with his compatriot Seve Ballesteros.

And Donald says he is “delighted” Olazabal decided to accept his offer.

“He is synonymous with European golf and the Ryder Cup and everything it represents,” the Englishman explained. “So to have him back as part of my backroom team is incredibly positive for us.

“He bleeds blue and gold like nobody else. His passion for the Ryder Cup is second to none. He is just an inspiration to so many players, which made such a difference in Rome.

“It’s also extremely important for us to know we have the last captain to have won on foreign soil on our side. I was part of that team as a player and got to witness his never-give-up attitude and the inspiration he drew from Seve that week.

“There might be some tough times in New York when we all need that experience, that passion and that mentality.”