Luke Donald Explains His Barclays 28-40 & How Monty May Have Cost Him $10 Million

Remember that front nine 28 that probably landed Luke Donald a spot on the European Ryder Cup team? And then the 40 coming home that made half of the universe second guess what in the world they just saw? Well, the Englishman has a perfectly fine explanation.

In his blog through sponsor Mizuno, Donald said he found out on the 10th hole that he had made the squad.

"I found out after 10 holes on Sunday at the Barclays, though. I was going along nicely, out in 28, then I found out – and I went to pieces!," Donald said.

Donald rebounded nicely this week in Boston, playing solid again and having the proper four rounds without disruption to showcase his talent.

While Donald may be on the team, that 40 at Ridgewood may well have cost him a chance at the FedExCup. Let's just say Monty waits until the round is over, and then Donald finds out. Say he shoots even par coming in the house. Donald finishes solo 3rd at worst and is looking awfully sporty for the $10 million in Atlanta.

He sits currently at fifth in the ranking, but could well be second or third had Monty not applied ice to his Cup chances. Players lodged in that top five control their own destiny in Atlanta, a spot in which Donald is assured. But, if Donald falls out of the top five due to a blip off the radar at Cog Hill, the Northwestern grad could well have a legit gripe against Monty.

That in mind, Donald suggested a revision of the process that both forms the team and how it is named.

"It’s a logical answer for the two captains to pick the teams at the same time, so there’s no advantage, perceived or not.

"I don’t want to go on about the qualification system; we have to concentrate now on the guys who are in the team coming together to win. But I think maybe it needs a tweaking or two. I understand the European Tour want to protect their tour and encourage players to play in Europe as much as they can, but at the same time the top players shouldn’t be penalised for wanting to play against the strongest fields and better themselves. It doesn’t seem quite right when the number eight player in the world is not on the team."