Winning European Ryder Cup Captain and Former World No. 1 Makes NBC Sports Debut Thursday on GOLF Channel and Peacock
STAMFORD, Conn. – Winning European Ryder Cup captain and former World No. 1 player Luke Donald will serve as NBC Sports’ lead analyst for its coverage of the PGA TOUR Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches and the Arnold Palmer Invitational across NBC, GOLF Channel and Peacock.
Donald is a five-time winner on the PGA TOUR, including the 2006 edition of the Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches, formerly known as the Honda Classic. Most recently, Donald captained the 2023 European Ryder Cup team to victory against the American team at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club last fall.
“I love the game of golf so I’m so thankful to have been given this opportunity and chance to take on the role of lead analyst for NBC Sports over the next two weeks, combining my passion for the sport with my knowledge as a player to deliver inside-the-ropes insight to the national U.S. audience,” said Donald. “This is a significant opportunity for me, and I’m eager to bring my perspective to the coverage while, at the same time, learning from my fellow broadcast and production team members.”
“Luke certainly boasts impressive playing credentials as a former No. 1 player in the world,” said Tommy Roy, lead producer for NBC Sports’ golf coverage. “Beyond his play, I was impressed with how Luke excelled in the intense role of Ryder Cup captain last year, providing strong and thoughtful answers to the media throughout his press conferences and interviews. We think Luke will bring all of that to the broadcast booth and we look forward to him joining our team at PGA National and Bay Hill.”
Donald will make his debut this Thursday alongside the broadcast team of Dan Hicks, Brad Faxon, Curt Byrum, Steve Sands, John Wood, Smylie Kaufman and Damon Hack.
The Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches is the second of seven consecutive PGA TOUR events airing on NBC through early April, including next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational (March 7-17) and The PLAYERS (March 14-17). Live coverage from PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., begins this Thursday, February 29, at 2 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock.
Jamie Palatini
203-356-2791
jamie.palatini@nbcuni.com
