Luke Donald will likely go down as Europe’s greatest Ryder Cup captain of all time.
He took on the role on short notice ahead of the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome and led Europe to a dominant victory, snatching the trophy from American hands. Luke Donald then became the first captain to win an away Ryder Cup in over 10 years with a statement win in New York.
Now our attention turns to Adare Manor in 2027, and whether Donald will once again take on the role and lead Europe in their third straight event. Donald wouldn’t give an answer when asked if he’d be returning as captain, but a decision will likely be made soon.
If Donald steps down, there will be several candidates to fill his shoes. Perhaps the leading one would be Francesco Molinari, who has played a crucial role in Europe’s success in the last two events as Vice Captain.
Molinari wants the job, and he recently revealed whether he thinks Donald should call it a day after his already legendary captaincy.
Francesco Molinari says he hopes Luke Donald returns as captain despite wanting role
Molinari has an undefeated record at Ryder Cups, both as a player and a captain, having won five of the events. And he made clear that if offered, he’d be happy to take the role of captain.
But he also said he’s hoping Donald decides to run it back, and he’s also got his fingers crossed that he’ll do the next two!
He told Today’s Golfer, “Obviously it’s something you don’t really turn down if you get asked. Going back to what I was telling you about the group, I think we’re all waiting and hoping for a positive answer from Luke.
“At the moment, I think we’ll just keep it at that, and hopefully he commits to another two years. I can see for him six years would be a lot of time, but hopefully he can do two more.
Predict who the Ryder Cup captains will be in 2027 🤔
“Sometimes it comes up but nothing formal. I think it’s something out of my hands. There’s so much going on now with LIV. I think it would be great if it comes. If not, at the moment I’ve been involved in three as a player, two as a vice-captain and won all five.
“I’d be super happy to do more. You need to find a balance between renovating and keeping some of the core team. I’d be happy to be involved again in as many as possible in any capacity but I’m not taking anything for granted.”
In Team Europe, the badge and the boys come before any individual recognition, and that’s from the top down. Molinari has made clear that European success is the priority over his own captaincy, and that’s a testament to the culture the team has created over the past decades.
The last person to be captain in four straight Ryder Cups
If he were to take on the role for the third straight year at Adare Manor, Donald would be stepping into esteemed territory. Bernard Gallacher was the last do it in the 1990s, before the recent trend of one-and-done captains took hold.
And if he does what Molinari is hoping, captaining four straight, he’d become the first man since the legendary Tony Jacklin to do so. Jacklin led Europe to their first-ever win in America in 1987 and retained the Cup on home soil in 1989.
Should Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton be allowed to play at the 2027 Ryder Cup?
It’s something that’s almost inconceivable now. Due to the exponential growth in popularity the Ryder Cup has seen in recent years, the captain’s duties are far more intense. The media requirements and preparation are all-consuming.
That’s why Rory McIlroy didn’t think Keegan Bradley could be a playing captain, and it’s why Donald is unlikely to be at the helm in 2027. It’s an exhausting role, and he deserves a rest.
On the other hand, he’s clearly found his calling with this job, so perhaps the former world number one will decide that this is what he’s supposed to be doing, and run it back once again. Europe certainly will hope so.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
