Luke Donald is drawing on lessons learned from NBA legend Michael Jordan to inspire his Europe team ahead of this week’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
The 47-year-old Englishman, who studied at Northwestern University in Chicago from 1997, struck up a friendship with the Chicago Bulls superstar while Jordan was finishing his second three-peat of NBA titles.
“Very surreal for me,” Donald said on Tuesday. “I grew up in England, so I wasn’t exposed to how big he was. But when I got to Chicago in ’97, all you heard about was Michael Jordan. You start watching games and realise the influence he had.”
Through mutual friends – and plenty of golf – Donald got to know Jordan, gaining insights into what made him not only a great player but also a leader who inspired championship teams.
“Michael is someone I’ve been very fortunate to pick the brain of occasionally – what made him tick, what motivated him, how he got the best out of himself,” Donald said. “He was never going to ask teammates to do something he wasn’t prepared to do himself. He set the example, led from the front, and broke things down into manageable goals.”
Donald said Jordan often simplified huge challenges by breaking them down – for example, setting targets per quarter to win scoring titles on the way to NBA crowns.
“You can be a team of champions but not a championship team,” Donald added. “You always need the people around you. You’re always stronger being a collective. That’s something I took from him, and it’s a value I’ve tried to instil in my teams. We’re always stronger together.”
That philosophy paid off in Rome in 2023, where Europe claimed a resounding victory. With 11 of the 12 players returning, Donald is hoping for another triumph on US soil.
Donald and Jordan remain close, living near each other in Florida and still playing golf together. Jordan is also friends with US captain Keegan Bradley.
“Michael is close to Keegan too, and I’m sure he’s leaned on him as well,” Donald said. “He’s not going to give me advice this time around, but over the years I’ve picked up plenty from him. It’s nice to have someone considered the greatest of all time to sit with and learn from.”
And as for Jordan’s presence at Bethpage Black this week?
“I think he’ll have a USA hat on,” Donald said with a smile.
Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
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