Donald: Europe ready to handle Ryder Cup pressure

An experienced Europe squad with 11 of 12 players returning from a 2023 triumph will be prepared for intense and passionate American spectators in this week's Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

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So says Europe captain Luke Donald, whose only change in his lineup from a Rome romp over the United States will be having Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard replace his twin brother Nicolai on the roster in the biennial golf showdown.

"You want to embrace what a Ryder Cup represents and part of that is embracing the crowd and embracing that atmosphere and certainly these guys will be ready for that," said Donald.

"If you're prepared and you're ready, we understand what's going to happen to us. It's our reaction to that that’s really important.

"We all have fears. We all have anxieties and we all find Ryder Cups pressurised, but these are top athletes that understand how to walk towards that fear."

Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy, whose emotional playoff victory over England’s Justin Rose at Augusta National completed a career Grand Slam, leads Europe. The world No.2 from Northern Ireland is a five-time major winner.

"We know how difficult it’s going to be. We're under no illusion," McIlroy said.