Overview

• Sir Nick Faldo compared Luke Donald’s leadership to Ted Lasso and said he “got 95% right” in Rome, predicting further improvement this week.
• Donald pledged more humor in New York, promising “some bad ones” to keep the squad relaxed as Europe looks to retain the Ryder Cup on U.S. soil.
• Rory McIlroy highlighted Donald’s Rome ritual of leaving dad jokes on players’ pillows as a small act that strengthened team spirit.
• Faldo called Bethpage Black “so good, so tough,” saying full-shot concentration will be decisive and that Europe has “a very good chance.”
• Recalling the 2002 U.S. Open, Faldo said an “I love NY” hat helped win over locals and suggested similar goodwill gestures could aid Europe.