Aug. 30, 2010
GLENEAGLES, Scotland -- Northwestern graduate Luke Donald was selected as a captain's pick Sunday for the 2010 European Ryder Cup team, marking the third time the 1999 NCAA Champion will compete for his continent in the tournament.
"It's been one of the craziest selections for the Ryder Cup ever when guys in the top 10 in the world [himself and (Paul) Casey] didn't know they were playing," said Donald, who has since moved to No. 11 in the world rankings and who missed the 2008 Ryder Cup after wrist surgery. European captain Colin Montgomerie selected Padraig Harrington and Edoardo Molinari with his other two picks, leaving off Paul Casey -- the world's current No. 9 ranked player -- and two-time 2010 PGA TOUR winner Justin Rose.
In 2004 and 2006, Donald was a huge part of European victories. He compiled a 5-1-1 record in those two years, earning wins over teams comprised of Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk and also Phil Mickelson and David Toms. Donald and 2010 vice captain Sergio Garcia went a perfect 4-0 as a team in 2004 and 2006. Donald's only loss came in 2004 to Chad Campbell, whom Donald then went on to defeat in a head-to-head match at the 2006 Cup.
The 2010 Ryder Cup will be held Oct. 1-3 at The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales. The European team has been finalized, while United States captain Corey Pavin will announce his four captain's picks on Sept. 7.
Donald has had a strong 2010 season on both sides of the Atlantic. In a three-week span from May 23-June 6, Donald finished second at the BMW PGA Championship, won the Madrid Masters and came in third at the Celtic Manor Wales Open -- played at the site of the 2010 Ryder Cup -- on the European Tour. On Sunday at The Barclays in New Jersey, Donald birdied the first six holes of his final round to pull within two strokes of the lead before eventually placing tied for 15th. He has five top-10s on the PGA TOUR this year.
Immediately prior to competing in the Ryder Cup, Donald will host the second-annual Wildcat Golf Day with Luke Donald Sept. 13 at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Ill., to benefit both NU's men's and women's golf programs. For more information on the event, link to NUsports.com.
Information from AOL Fanhouse, BBC Sport and the Associated Press used in this release.
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