In the modern era, the role of a Ryder Cup skipper has been elevated to such a venerated status, the position should come with its own marble plinth. Such exalted status brings its pressures, of course.
Win that little gold chalice and you’ll be worshipped like Zeus. Lose and you’ll attract withering condemnation.
After Europe’s walloping at Whistling Straits last year, everybody was expecting Lee Westwood to be given the captain’s armband for the 2023 tussle in Rome. But then Westwood withdrew himself from consideration and Europe’s chain of assumed succession, which seems to have captains in place for the next 100 years, was somewhat disrupted. Luke Donald has emerged as the favorite to take up the reins and certainly has plenty of backing among the current crop of players.
