Luke Donald has agreed to stay on as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain for Adare Manor in 2027.
Donald was first named captain for the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, with his tenure deemed such a success he was offered the role for Bethpage Black in 2025.
Europe took a historic 11.5-4.5 lead into Sunday, and despite a remarkable fightback from the USA, Europe held on to win 15-13.
"The last two Ryder Cups have meant a lot to me and my family," Donald said. "I didn't imagine this third time would come. Celebrating on that Sunday night in New York after a pressure-packed week in a tough environment, I thought maybe my job was done. But maybe there is a little more story to tell.
"This Ryder Cup captaincy journey has given me so much focus, so much purpose and it is something I don't take for granted. It's a real privilege and I am certainly looking forward to another home Ryder Cup."
Donald has a storied history in the Ryder Cup, being a part of the Miracle at Medinah in 2012 as well as winning in 2010, 2006 and 2004. As well as his perfect winning record as a player and captain, only Tommy Fleetwood has a better points percentage than Donald having played at least 10 Ryder Cup matches.
While the importance of the captain has often been overplayed in the past, Donald has revolutionised the role. Alongside vice captain Edoardo Molinari, who oversees much of the data analysis from the side, Donald’s foursomes record – where the captain has the most input – is a remarkable 13 wins from 16 matches.
Aside from the analytics edge Europe have seemed to have in recent years, Donald has also helped to harness the ever-present European team spirit, and has received calls not just from fans but players as well to extend his stay.
Generally, the captaincy is awarded almost as an honorary title to a key figure from the competition’s history, but Donald has given it a new-found importance, and becomes the first European to captain in three straight Ryder Cups since Bernard Gallacher in 1995.
The 2027 Ryder Cup will be held at Adare Manor in Ireland as Europe look to win an eighth straight Ryder Cup on home soil.
