Luke Donald lays down the gauntlet to Europe's Ryder Cup stars at the Masters

Luke Donald has challenged his European stars to end the American domination of the Majors in year. And the triumphant skipper in Rome said performances on the big stages - starting at the Masters today - will be a huge deciding factor in picking his team in Bethpage Black in September

Since won the Green Jacket here in 2023, there have been seven consecutive US Major victories. It is Uncle Sam’s longest hot streak since 1974-77. World No.1 is favourite to retain his title in 2025. And Bryson DeChambeau, who shot an opening 65 here last year, Open champion Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa are also strong home runners.

But no big-name Americans have won on the PGA Tour this season while has claimed two titles and four other potential members of Donald’s team have racked up away wins.

The Masters, though, is the opening Major of a Ryder Cup year where Europe will bid to win on US soil for the first time since 2012. And a European winner in Georgia would lay down another early marker.

“Of course it would be good to end the American domination of the Majors,” he said. We have got some good early momentum from the Europeans. Seven in a row from the US is not ideal. It would be great to keep that vibe and the momentum going with a European win. It doesn’t have to be this week but at least one of the Majors going into Bethpage. They won quite a few before Rome and it didn’t make a difference. It is not necessary but it would certainly be very nice.”

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The Masters is also the first event this season where 12 LIV stars - including LIV Hong Kong winner Sergio Garcia - will compete against the PGA Tour loyalists. Since the Saudi-backed league was set up in 2022, the Majors have become even bigger - and the best way to compare talents.

“I think it is important for anyone, not just Sergio,” Donald added. Europe’s record points scorer resigned from the DP World Tour in May 2023 but paid fines of around £800,000 to return last November. When the 2017 Masters winner has served his bans for playing conflicting LIV events, he plans to play June’s BMW International Open in Munich.

The truculent way the Spaniard left the DP Tour did not impress many of his fellow players. But Donald, who said “experience” counted for an away tie, insisted his return would not disrupt the united team from Rome in a big hint he will be picked.

“Whatever differences you have it's on me to deal with that,” he said. “Part of my job is to figure that out, to create a cohesive team. I don’t have any big worries about that to be honest. They respect each other, they know what the goal is. Whatever that stuff might be, it won’t be an issue.

“He is adamant he wants to play Ryder Cup. He has done everything the tour has asked. He is going to play European Tour events, Munich for sure. You can’t discount the effort he is putting in. It means a lot to him and the players understand that too.”

His fellow Spaniard Rahm is now down to No.80 but a certain pick - and another contender this week. “He is still a world class player,” Donald said.

World No.18 Tyrrell Hatton is second in the Ryder Cup rankings after his January win in Dubai. The European skipper named checked Masters debutant Aaron Rai, Thomas Detry, Rasmus Hojgaard and LIV star David Puig as other potential players for Bethpage Black.

And an even bigger name - President - could well make an appearance. “He loves so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he turns up,” said Donald.