About a year ago, Luke Donald flew into New York with his right-hand man, Edoardo Molinari, to suss out the next Ryder Cup course. Word quickly got out that the European captain was in town, so by the time the pair walked to the first tee the next day for their reconnaissance of Bethpage Black, a pack of around two dozen grinning locals were waiting to greet them.
“On the first tee, from England!” shouted one, to much laughter. “The former world No 1, captain of Team Europe, LUUUUUKE DONALD!”
