Luke Donald is contemplating whether to lead Team Europe for a third time at the Ryder Cup. After a tense 15-13 victory at Bethpage Black, he remains undecided.
Ludvig Aberg was the only European to win in singles, but the team’s success in paired matches was crucial. Donald became only the second European captain to win consecutive Ryder Cups, following Tony Jacklin’s achievements in 1985 and 1987.
Donald, who led Europe to a significant win in Rome two years ago, is taking his time before deciding on leading again at Adare Manor in 2027. “A lot of people questioned why I would do it a second time after doing it so well in Rome,” Donald told BBC Sport. “But home and away is a different challenge, and I’ve ticked both those boxes.”
The last captain to lead Europe three times was Bernard Gallacher in 1995. The continuity of leadership proved beneficial at Bethpage as Keegan Bradley struggled to ignite Team USA. Donald almost missed his first term in 2023 when Henrik Stenson was removed due to his move to LIV Golf. Instead, Donald’s name echoed through Italy and New York as fans celebrated his leadership.
Many European players have praised Donald for his meticulous attention to detail, which helped settle the team during the competition. He might still lead the team in County Limerick in two years. “I’m very humbled and grateful that some of the players and fans were chanting two years again,” he said. “I’ll never rule [doing it a third time] out.”
Shane Lowry highlighted Donald’s impact by comparing him to legendary football manager Alex Ferguson. “It’s like trying to come in after [Manchester United football manager] Alex Ferguson,” Lowry remarked. “We’ve seen how that’s gone over the last 12 years. I think it’ll be very tough shoes to fill.”
Donald emphasised that any decision about leading again will not be rushed. He plans to enjoy the current victory before making any commitments. “Everything I do, I sit down and think about it in preparation,” he explained. “What is the cost, what are we doing here, how are we going to be successful, what are the challenges?”
The decision on whether Donald will captain Team Europe again remains open-ended as he weighs his options carefully.