Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald remained tight-lipped on whether LIV Golf stars will be selected for the 2023 event.
Rebels who were lured to join the controversial Saudi-backed tour are set to play no part in the prestigious tournament next year.
The emergence of LIV Golf has split the sport down the middle, with players who jumped ship from the PGA Tour either being suspended or forced to resign their memberships.
With a court case set for early next year, Donald, 44, who replaced Henrik Stenson as Team Europe skipper after he joined LIV back in August, refused to comment on the prospect of picking LIV players for his team in Rome next year. “What’s going on in men’s professional golf at the moment is still kind of up in the air and I’m trying not to think about it,” Donald told GolfByTourMiss.
“I know there’s a court hearing coming up in February with the European Tour and LIV, so we are going to have to wait and see where it goes from there. And while I may be good friends with guys like Lee (Westwood), Sergio (Garcia) and many others, I am sure they know that my role is not to be political, nor is it my job to have any influence on those decisions.
“It’s not like I am coming out saying ‘this and that’, so far I’ve not had to face that.”
This is not Donald's first time in a leadership role at the Ryder Cup, having been vice-captain on two occasions. After being on the winning side in each of his previous four appearances in the iconic team competition, the Englishman believes those experiences will stand him in good stead at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in the Italian captial.
“Having been a vice-captain has provided me with great experience though I did not enjoy the experience last year at Whistling Straits, as it’s never fun being on a losing side,” Donald added. “That (four wins) is something I am very proud of while I was a vice-captain under Thomas’ (Bjorn) side in France.”
As LIV golf continue to make waves in the sport, CEO Greg Norman confirmed that a famous Ryder Cup venue will play host to one of his rebel events in 2023. This week the Australian announced three new courses as part of the expanded schedule. Among them is the Real Club Valderrama, where rebel stars will compete from June 30 to July 2.
Mayakoba’s El Camaleon Golf Course (February 24-26) and Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore (April 28-30) will also hold LIV events. The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide (April 21-23) had already been announced as a host of one of the 14 tournaments.
“LIV Golf is truly a global league dedicated to expanding the sport throughout the world, and these destinations for the league’s 2023 launch showcase our commitment to tournament play at the highest level,” said Norman, in a released statement.
"These venues have played host to signature moments in golf, and we’re excited to build new traditions for the sport while delivering a first-class fan experience at some of the world’s best courses.”
