European Ryder Cup Captain and former World Number One Luke Donald will return to the BMW International Open for the third consecutive year in 2025.
Donald is the first European since Scotsman Bernard Gallacher (1991, 1993, 1995) to serve as captain in consecutive Ryder Cups and he will attempt to lead his European Team to the defence of the title they won two years ago in Rome at the 45th Ryder Cup.
In an interview, the 47-year-old Englishman discusses the upcoming BMW International Open, the special challenges of a Ryder Cup in the USA, and talks about the value of support from BMW.
Luke, you made your debut at the BMW International Open in 2004, have since come back to Munich many times and will be teeing off for the third time in row this year. From a player’s perspective, why is the tournament a special event?
Luke Donald: "The BMW International Open is a great event and one that all the players on the DP World Tour look forward to. We are treated so well by BMW, from the courtesy car service to the players’ lounge, with every little detail being thoroughly thought through."
In general, do you enjoy coming to Munich and the welcome from German golf fans? What kind of audience are they? Are the German fans different to other stops on the tour?
Donald: “I really enjoy coming to Munich. It’s a vibrant city with plenty of culture and things to do, which makes for an enjoyable week off the golf course as well as on it. German golf fans really do know about the game – and given some of the players the country has produced over the years it’s no wonder. They’re knowledgeable, respectful and show their appreciation when they are entertained. The vibe around the golf course is always one of real class.”
Obviously some of your greatest achievements as a player came at the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth, which BMW has partnered since 2005. Can you describe what the company has done for the game of golf, especially in Europe, over the decades?
Donald: “BMW has been a valued partner of the DP World Tour and the Ryder Cup for a number of years and there is no doubt that the game of golf has benefitted enormously from its involvement. Both the BMW International Open and the BMW PGA Championship are events of the very highest calibre and BMW can take a large amount of credit for that.”
BMW is also a long term and dedicated partner of the Ryder Cup. What does this support mean to Team Europe and the campaign?
Donald: “BMW’s support of the Ryder Cup is huge to everybody involved. We want to bring the excitement of golf’s greatest team contest to as many people as possible and BMW helps to do that through innovation and initiative. In 2023, we were proud to partner with BMW as they – as a world’s first – launched the ability for BMW owners around the world to broadcast the 44th Ryder Cup live in 7 Series vehicles and many more models.”
Speaking about the Ryder Cup and the BMW International Open in July, at which stage will Europe’s campaign be at this time? What will be the focus of your attention in Munich as a captain?
Donald: “We have our processes in place and the closer we get to Bethpage, the more we will delve into some of the detail to give us the best chance of being triumphant in New York. We’ll continue to keep an eye on certain players, try to spend some time with them and work towards creating another great Team Europe environment.”
After leading the team to a great win in Rome, you now face the challenge of a Ryder Cup away match. Does this change your approach and how do you respond to the challenge?
Donald: “There is no question that being a captain away from home is a tough task, but I have never shied away from challenges throughout my career and it is precisely the kind of thing that motivates me. Every Ryder Cup demands a unique approach and this year’s will be no different, but we will do everything we can to ensure our team of 12 is given the best possible chance of success.”
Some things will still feel like at home, like the BMW courtesy car service. Can you enjoy a relaxing ride to and from the course, given the pressure during that week and the many thoughts that cross your mind?
Donald: “The BMW courtesy car service really is second-to-none and having the reliability of BMW gives us all one less thing to worry about during an intense week.”
