'He's got the minerals down stretch' - Aaron Rai ready for Ryder Cup debut

Luke Donald will have a version of himself in Europe’s team for next year’s Ryder Cup if new PGA champion Aaron Rai is involved in the centenary edition at Adare Manor.

That’s the opinion of Stephen Gallacher while Jamie Donaldson, another member of a winning team in the biennial event at Gleneagles in 2014, also believes Rai can be an asset for hat-trick chaser Donald in County Limerick.

“Why would you not want to play with someone like him?” observed Gallacher, speaking as both him and Donaldson were confirmed as additions to the field for this summer’s ISPS Handa Senior Open at Gleneagles.

Luke Donald and Aaron Rai shake hands during the 2023 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club | Andrew Redington/Getty Images

“He’s got a great temperament and is such a nice guy. You’d want to play with a major winner as your partner, wouldn’t you? You know he’s got the minerals down the stretch.

“Both JD [Donaldson] and I played with him quite a bit and he’s set in his own ways. He’s very methodical. He’s unique in terms of some of the stuff he does. Off the course, though, he’s a good and normal lad.

“He’s similar to Luke Donald. He’s kind of what Luke is like. He’s very unassuming and very humble. He’s just a straightforward guy and a hell of a player. We’ve all known he is a good player, but when you win tournaments like that, it takes you up another level.”

Donaldson earned a place in Ryder Cup folklore as he hit a wonder shot at the par-4 15th on the PGA Centenary Course against Keegan Bradley to clinch Europe’s win in 2014.

“He’s a great guy on and off the golf course,” said the Welshman of Rai. “He’s very methodical in his approach and winning a major has proven he can take his game to another level.

“You saw how cool he was on the back nine on Sunday and that’s the sort of temperament you want in your Ryder Cup side.”

Rai held off both Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm to claim his maiden win at Aronimink, where he was cool, calm and collected when the heat was on over the back nine.

Stephen Gallacher chats to reporters at a media day for the ISPS Handa Senior Open day at Gleneagles as Jamie Donaldson joins via a video link | Kenny Smith/ISPS Handa Senior Open

“Yeah, I think the putt (a monster for a birdie) on the 71st hole was a great example,” observed Gallacher of how a player showing a lack of emotion can be a good thing. “He was using the shadow of the pin to try and get it close to the hole.

“When you don’t show emotion, it stops you from getting caught in your emotions when you are playing the next hole. He is very level-headed. You can show emotion when you get the job done and Luke Donald is exactly the same.

“We’ve all seen what can happen under pressure with guys like Jean Van de Velde on others down the stretch. He did the right thing because you’ve got to keep your emotions in check until that last putt goes in.”

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