Michael Jordan has hinted that Team Europe will win the Ryder Cup, according to captain Luke Donald.
The NBA legend, considered the greatest basketball player of all time, is also an avid golfer and will be sure to keep an eye on the rematch between Team Europe and Team USA.
The last time they met, in 2021, the United States won comfortably 19-9 at Whistling Straits, but Donald told The Telegraph that Jordan was backing his team to win in Rome.
“I had dinner with Michael Jordan a few weeks ago,” Donald said. “He predicts the Europeans will win. But don’t tell the American team.”
When asked if Jordan would attend, Donald said: “He’s not coming. He told me something happened.”
The European team consists of Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland, Robert McIntyre, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, who join wild card player Rudd Vig Aberg, Tommy Fleetwood, Nicolai Hojgaard, Sean Lowry, Justin Rose and Sepp Straka join in the Italian Championship.
Donald’s team is ready and eager to go, with Europe’s captain saying he’s optimistic about his chances of correcting the mistakes that saw the United States win comfortably two years ago.
“We’ve been trending very well,” he said.
“They’re playing well and I like the makeup of our team. We’ve got some superstars; we’ve got a lovely core of good players and some young guys with a lot of potential. The future is bright and everything for these guys Everything is possible.”
“But we are coming off our worst loss ever and Team USA will be the betting favorite. We will never underestimate the Americans.
“They’re very strong and have some good partnerships, winning partnerships.
“You know, they have an 85 to 90 percent win rate, which is unheard of for a partnership. So, we have our hands full, but I do feel really, really good.”