Ryder Cup 2027: Luke Donald named Team Europe’s captain for Adare Manor and chases historic three-peat over Team USA
Luke Donald will captain Team Europe for a third consecutive Ryder Cup after being named in the role again for the 2027 contest at Adare Manor in Ireland.
Donald has guided Team Europe to back-to-back victories over the United States, leading them to a 16.5-11.5 win in Rome in 2023 – avenging a record-breaking loss two years earlier – before successfully retaining the trophy in New York last September.
Team Europe built a record-breaking lead over Team USA over the first two days at Bethpage Black before closing out a 15-13 victory, seeing Donald join Tony Jacklin as the only European captains to win successive Ryder Cups.
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Highlights of the key moments from the final day of the Ryder Cup from Bethpage Black, as Europe held on to clinch the trophy
The former world No 1 was described as the ‘best European captain of all time’ after their famous win on American soil, with the former world No 1 now confirmed to become the first since Bernard Gallacher to captain Europe in three consecutive Ryder Cups.
Donald will look to defend the trophy once again on home soil, live next September on Sky Sports, where he aims to complete a historic three-peat and become the first European to win three Ryder Cups as a captain.
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Team USA captain Keegan Bradley heaped praise on Luke Donald after Team Europe clinched the 2025 Ryder Cup
“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.”
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Captain Donald continues historic journey
Donald has never been on a losing team in the Ryder Cup as a player or a captain, appearing in four victorious sides as a player before masterminding the back-to-back wins over the United States as a captain.
The Englishman was part of winning teams as a player in 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2012, with Donald also serving as a vice-captain to Thomas Bjorn in the 2018 success in Paris and Padraig Harrington in the heavy 2021 loss at Whistling Straits.
Luke Donald has been named captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor
Donald was initially a replacement captain for the 2023 edition, following Henrik Stenson being stripped from the role for joining LIV Golf, although has since cemented his status as one of Europe’s Ryder Cup greats.
He was met with a chant of “two more years” from his players after the Rome victory, which he responded to by taking on the role again for the 2025 edition, with a similar message directed his way after last year’s title defence.
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Matt Fitzpatrick says he ‘wouldn’t blame’ Donald if he stepped down as Team Europe Ryder Cup captain, but made it clear that the team ‘would all welcome him back’
He held discussions with DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings in January and has been locked in as captain again for the centenary edition at Limerick’s Adare Manor, taking place from September 17-19 next year.
“History is obviously important to me,” Donald added. “As a team, as Ryder Cup Europe, we all play for history. We talk about it a lot, about the guys who paved the way for us and the responsibility we have to inspire next generations.
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“I don’t think I have ever thought about history through a personal lens. I just try to enjoy the journey and the day-to-day work to create an environment that gives the players the opportunity for success. That is what I focus on.”
Donald had previously refused to rule out a third stint in the role immediately after ending home dominance in the biennial contest, with victory at Bethpage Black the first away win – from either team – since the 2012 ‘Miracle at Medinah’.
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Guy Kinnings, chief executive of the European Tour Group, said: “Luke was an outstanding captain in Rome and New York, leading the team to victory both times, and it is fantastic he is coming back to do it a third time.
“Those victories were remarkable, but almost even more impressive was how he led the team and how he conducted himself. He has faced a lot of challenges as captain throughout his two terms, and he has handled all of them with his usual calm, poise and authority and above all with respect.
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Team Europe carried on their celebrations on the team bus following their Ryder Cup victory, sending their own message to US President Donald Trump
“He is meticulous in everything he does when it comes to planning and preparation, but Luke would be the first to acknowledge that as good as job as he has done, this is a new challenge for him and the team. He will be as motivated and as committed as ever to help them achieve more success.”
The PGA of America are yet to announce who will captain Team USA for the 2027 contest, with Tiger Woods the favourite to succeed Keegan Bradley after turning down the opportunity last time around.
Watch the next two Ryder Cups, including the 2027 edition at Adare Manor in Ireland, exclusively live on Sky Sports. Stream the DP World Tour and more with no contract.
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