Luke Donald and Team Europe’s Ryder Cup win has been captured by a behind-the-scenes documentary named ‘Una Famiglia’, but the cameras show that not everything was straightforward
Luke Donald opened on the challenge he faced with the formation of LIV Golf after taking over as European Ryder Cup captain from predecessor Henrik Stenson.
On the back of Stenson’s switch to the LIV setup in 2022, the Swede was removed as the European captain and replaced by one of his former teammates in Donald. The move was one that paid off, after the former world No. 1 went on to lead Team Europe to victory over the USA last autumn.
Just over one year on, a documentary providing behind-the-scenes coverage of Europe’s win at Marco Simone is set to be released by the DP World Tour on December 3 named ‘Una Famiglia’.
The documentary captures never-seen-before footage of the European camp, and follows Donald through the build-up, the event and then his decision to return as captain for a second term ahead of the trip to Bethpage Black. Early on, the Englishman is seen opening up about the challenges facing the European team due the PGA Tour and DP World Tour’s dispute with LIV.
A whole host of big-name European stars made the move to the breakaway league – including Stenson – with the sport left in an unprecedented period if turmoil. Speaking in ‘Una Famiglia’, Donald said: “At that time when LIV was just starting to make itself known, I knew there were going to be challenges that no captain had ever faced before.
“There was some pressure. How can I get the guys in a good frame of mind with everything going on in the world of golf. How can I beat this very strong, young American team?” Of course Donald did eventually get his team in the frame of mind required to beat their American rivals.
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A new-look European setup which had moved on from the likes of Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia put in an impressive showing to win back the title they lost in record-breaking fashion two years earlier at Whisting Straits. Ahead of his title defence though, the saga surrounding LIV once again leaves Donald in a similar position.
On the back of victory last year, two of Donald’s most important players in Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton opted to make the Saudi switch, putting their Ryder Cup futures in jeopardy. Unlike Poulter and co though, the pair have remained members of the DP World Tour, a requirement of any player wanting to represent Team Europe.
Speaking in the fly-on-the-wall documentary, Rahm claimed he has every intention of being at Bethpage Black despite his recent move. “It is fair to assume that I may have disappointed a few people,” the Spanish star said of his original decision to make the move to LIV.
“But the person I have been has not changed. No matter where I am in the world, no matter where I play golf, the Ryder Cup to me is still the Ryder Cup. You want to be a part of it. Water boy, I don’t care. You definitely want to be there.”
