Luke Donald is to lead Team Europe for a third straight Ryder Cup at the 2027 contest, becoming the first European to be given a third consecutive term as skipper since Bernard Gallacher.
The 48-year-old Englishman has guided Team Europe to back-to-back victories over Team USA in the last two editions of the biennial team contest, winning 15-13 in a dramatic week at Bethpage Black in New York last September — the first away from home victory since 2012’s ‘Miracle at Medinah’ — and 16½-11½ at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome in 2023.
The former world no. 1 initially accepted the role in 2023 after Sweden’s Henrik Stenson was stripped of the position following his decision to join LIV Golf. Since then, he has garnered an increasing level of support from European golfers and fans alike following his triumphs in the recent editions, joining only Tony Jacklin as the only captain to claim successive Ryder Cup wins.
Donald will be seeking to mastermind Team Europe’s defence of the trophy on home turf and seal an unprecedented achievement of becoming the first European to lead his team to a hat trick of Ryder Cup triumphs.
“The last two Ryder Cups have meant a lot to me and my family. I didn’t imagine this third time would come,” said Donald. “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 also won the Ryder Cup as a player on four occasions – 2004, 2006, 2010, and 2012 and has served as one of the vice-captains in 2018 and 2021.
Team USA have yet to confirm their captain for the 2027 edition however 15-time major winner Tiger Woods has recently revealed that he has been asked to lead the Americans and is weighing up the offer.
The next Ryder Cup will take place between 17-19 September 2027 at Adare Manor in Ireland.