American Ryder Cup focus has quickly turned to Adare Manor following their loss at Bethpage Black, with a discussion now ongoing about their next captain.
Adare Manor hosts the 2027 Ryder Cup, with Luke Donald possibly returning as European captain on home soil.
Donald guided Team Europe to success in Rome in 2023, and did the same at Bethpage Black earlier this month.
Winning captain Donald has received praise following his success in New York, in stark contrast to heavy criticism for Bradley.
Phil Mickelson won’t replace Bradley as US captain in 2027, but it seems almost certain that the position is there to be filled.
Paul Azinger confirms if he’s open to being the US captain at the 2027 Ryder Cup
Tiger Woods has been ruled out of the US captaincy too, while previous incumbent Paul Azinger has now joined the debate.
He said on Golf’s Subpar: “Would I be the captain? No. But if I could be more of an advisor, maybe. But nobody has really asked much of my opinion at the PGA of America since I was captain.
“They have never asked me if I wanted to do it again. They never asked me about Corey [Pavin], they never asked me about [Tom] Watson. They never asked me about anybody. I feel like once you’re the captain that is it.”
Paul Azinger says if he was shocked about not being asked to return as US Ryder Cup captain
Azinger boasts a fantastic record as US Ryder Cup captain, having guided his side to success at the 2008 event.
He edged out opposite number Nick Faldo at Valhalla Golf Club, where the USA defeated Europe 16.5-11.5.
But unlike Donald this year, Azinger was not asked back for a second spell, of which he said: “It took me a minute to realise that I wanted to do it.
“I called them and said ‘Hey I want to carry the flag to Europe’, and they said there are more captains than there are Ryder Cup.
“I said I’ll do it. I will take the risk. Now I am the winning captain. So it would have been a big risk to do it again.
“Same for Luke, it would have been a big risk. But Luke is going to take the challenge. I think go to the well until the well runs dry.
“I would take Luke again. Who is next in line other than Luke? [Lee] Westwood left, [Graeme] McDowell left. These are Ryder Cup legends.”
It remains to be seen if the European leader will take on the heavy burden once more, but Jon Rahm wants Donald to stay on as captain for 2027.
The USA meanwhile will likely need to change strategies after losing on home soil, but Bradley cannot be ruled out of another attempt at success in Ireland at this stage.
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