European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald sent every reporter a glass of champagne at Emirates Golf Club after making an ace at the Dubai Desert Classic.
European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald made an ace during the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic.
Regretfully, the DP World Tour event’s hole-in-one was not captured on camera.
Despite this setback, the Englishman continued to celebrate by giving a glass of champagne to each member of the press present at the Emirates Golf Club.
On the fourth hole, a par-3, Donald hit his ace. The pin was hidden behind the green to the left.
The Englishman revealed it was a perfectly struck 8-iron from 186 yards.
“I just hit a cut 8-iron and over this little hill,” he said.
“My eye sight is not that good these days. I couldn’t see it but I saw some people behind the green jumping up-and-down.
“[It was] a shame it wasn’t on camera but nice to get one of those.”
So how many hole-in-ones has Donald had in his career?
“I’ve had three in tournaments, and I think that was number 19 total,” he said.
“So I’ve been pretty fortunate with the hole-in-ones. Sorry for anyone out there who has never had one. I’ve obviously taken them.”
Donald ended his second round with his overall score at 1-under, 12 shots behind the leader Cameron Young.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy was well off the pace.
As for Donald, he will spend the rest of 2024 with his golf once again taking a backseat.
He has confirmed he will lead the European Ryder Cup team at the 2025 contest at Bethpage Black.
The 45-year-old, who managed Europe’s 16½ – 11½ triumph in Italy last September, jumped at the chance to become the second captain to win two cups in a row.
Upon being reappointed, he declared, “I adore the values that the Ryder Cup embodies.”
“I’ve had so many incredible experiences as a captain and as a Ryder Cup player, so to be awarded the honor of winning back-to-back is really meaningful to me.”