Tennis

Thomas Bjørn Appointed Vice Captain for Europe’s Ryder Cup: Impressions

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Thomas Bjorn, who had the opportunity to lead the European team as captain in the 2018 event in Paris, will have the chance to serve as vice-captain again, just as he did last year, with Luke Donald as the team captain. The European team enters the upcoming 2025 Ryder Cup with enormous ambitions, aiming to achieve victory on US soil. This will be a difficult task for Luke Donald’s team, but they still expect to give their best and make a significant achievement. 

Winning the Ryder Cup on foreign soil is one of the toughest challenges in the world of golf. Luke Donald commented on Thomas Bjorn’s involvement, expressing his happiness to collaborate again. Donald emphasized his excitement about having Bjorn as vice-captain. After Donald was appointed captain again, he knew he had to have Bjorn on the team.

“I am very excited to have Thomas back on the team. Once I was appointed as captain again, my thoughts quickly went to who I wanted to have in the backroom staff – and Thomas certainly was one of those.”- Donald said, as quoted by Irish Examiner!

Luke Donald emphasized that individuals like Bjorn have great importance for him and the team. The experience and knowledge that Bjorn possesses are a fantastic foundation for the success of this team in the Ryder Cup. Donald confirmed that he and Bjorn have had a great relationship for years, and it remains strong to this day. Speaking about the Ryder Cup, the captain of the European team believes that it is important to start preparations early with a goal to achieve success next year.

The Dane will be vice-captain for the sixth time. He has had the opportunity to be part of the Ryder Cup 10 times, sometimes as a player, sometimes as vice-captain, and sometimes as captain. Considering how many times he has been part of this competition, many expect him to be a crucial link in this team. Bjorn was with the team in Rome last year when they secured victory against the US team. This time, he will have a slightly more challenging task: to achieve victory on foreign soil.

Thomas Bjorn’s reappointment as vice-captain for the European team reflects a natural continuation of his role from the previous Ryder Cup. The successful environment established under the leadership of Luke Donald in Rome, where Bjorn served as vice-captain, played an important role in his decision to continue in this capacity. Donald’s extraordinary leadership, not only with the players but also with the entire Ryder Cup Europe team, left a lasting impression on Bjorn. 

Luke Donald

Luke Donald© Patrick Smith/Getty Images Sport

 

Having experienced the inner workings of such events during his time as captain in Paris, Bjorn appreciated Donald’s enhancements and additions to the team dynamics in Rome. Being part of this success filled Bjorn with pride, and he anticipates contributing to the team’s efforts once again, building on the positive experiences from the previous tournament.

Thomas Bjorn about the 2023 Ryder Cup and how they motivated the players

Bjorn was thrilled after the victory in Rome, where the European team shone, appearing much stronger than the US team. Unity could be felt within the team, with a great atmosphere, and it was expected that the Europeans would succeed in their goal. The Dane reflected on the great success of the Europeans and explained what was crucial on their path to winning the Ryder Cup.

Thomas Bjorn emphasized the inclusive approach taken by the Ryder Cup team, extending beyond just the 12 players to include coaches, families, and everyone involved. This approach enabled an incredible atmosphere within the team, allowing all individuals to feel valued and supported. 

Thomas Bjorn

Thomas Bjorn© Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images Sport

 

By prioritizing this inclusive atmosphere, Bjorn believed that each of the 12 players had the opportunity to develop and succeed personally. Recalling this approach, he expressed satisfaction in creating an environment where players could navigate the extreme pressure of the competition while feeling the collective support of those around them. Ultimately, this strategy contributed to the overall success of the team. He especially knew how to deal with younger golfers, who needed a guide like him.

Bjorn expressed satisfaction with the players and established amazing chemistry with each of them. He understood their needs, what they lacked, and what they needed to work on. The goal was to get to know each golfer in the best possible way, deliberately creating an atmosphere in which each player would feel valued and respected. It seems he succeeded in that. The next year will be exciting and bring a lot of thrills. The Ryder Cup in the US is always interesting to watch. This time, the Americans intend to secure victory.

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