Luke Donald is set to discuss the possibility of leading the European team at the Ryder Cup for the third time in 2027 with officials from the DP World Tour in Dubai this week. Shane Lowry, who played a crucial role in the recent Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black, has voiced his support for Donald to continue as captain for the upcoming event in Ireland.
The former world No.1 guided Europe to a memorable away triumph in Long Island last year, following a successful defense of the title in Rome in 2021. Notably, no European captain has achieved three Ryder Cup victories, with only Tony Jacklin and Bernard Gallacher having led the team more than twice.
Donald, aged 48, is currently competing at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, marking his first tournament of the year. Apart from focusing on his performance on the course, he will engage in discussions with DP World’s CEO, Guy Kinnings, regarding the Ryder Cup captaincy. A decision on the captain for the upcoming event is expected in the coming months.
Expressing his thoughts on the matter, Donald stated, “I will sit down for a chat with Guy this week just to see where I am. I kinda know what the job entails but just to see what they are looking for. Just a chat. I have got a couple more months to decide.”
Lowry, who played a pivotal role in securing a half point to retain the Ryder Cup in New York, believes that Donald is well-suited for the role if he chooses to accept it. He mentioned, “I think it’s Luke’s if he wants it… It’s his decision. It is a big undertaking for him, and it’s also a big undertaking for his family because he will be traveling a lot more.”
In response to the support from fellow players, Donald shared, “A few of the players have obviously expressed they’d love me to come back… So it’s nice to get some of the backing from the players. I think that’s important.” In case Donald decides against taking on the captaincy again, potential candidates like Francesco Molinari or Justin Rose could be considered for the role.
The possibility of Donald leading Europe at the Ryder Cup for a third time has garnered significant interest and support from players and fans alike. The decision on the captaincy is anticipated to be announced in the upcoming months as preparations for the prestigious event at Adare Manor continue.