Golf mad Michael Jordan can’t see America beating Europe, says Luke Donald
Michael Jordan has tipped Team Europe to win the Ryder Cup, according to captain Luke Donald.
The NBA legend, who is regarded as the greatest basketball player of all-time, is also an avid golfer and will be certain to tune in as Team Europe and Team USA go head to head once again.
Last time out in 2021 it was USA who secured a comfortable 19-9 victory at Whistling Straits, but speaking in an interview with , Donald says that Jordan is backing his team to come out on top in Rome.
“I had dinner with Michael Jordan a few weeks ago,” Donald says. “And he tipped the Europeans to win. But don’t tell the US team that.”
Asked if MJ will be in attendance, Donald said: "He’s not coming. He told me something has come up.”
Team Europe is made up of Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland, Robert MacIntyre, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm who join wildcard picks Ludvig Aberg, Tommy Fleetwood, Nicolai Højgaard, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose and Sepp Straka for the tournament in Italy.
MORE ON THE RYDER CUP
With Donald's team ready and raring to go, Europe's captain has said he's optimistic of their chances of righting the wrongs of two years ago when Team USA ran out as comfortable winners.
He said: "We’ve been trending quite nicely.
"They are playing well and I like our team make-up. We have some superstars; we have a lovely core of great players and then we have some youngsters with huge potential. The future is bright and kind of anything’s possible with these guys.
“But we are coming off the worst loss we’ve ever had and the Americans are going to be betting favourites. We will never underestimate the Americans.
Most read in Golf
"They are very strong and they have some great partnerships, winning partnerships.
"They have partnerships that you know, 85 per cent to 90 per cent win rate, which is unheard of. So, our hands are full, but I certainly feel pretty, pretty good.”