Luke Donald led the European Ryder Cup team to back-to-back victories in 2023 and 2025. The Englishman is now set to hold talks with the DP World Tour in Dubai this week to discuss the possibility of taking the captaincy for the third time in 2027.
Donald took over the captaincy role in 2023 after replacing Henrik Stenson, who was removed from the role following his move to join LIV Golf. Now, the 48-year-old has revealed his plan to ‘sit down and chat’ with DP World chief executive Guy Kinnings about taking up the role for a third consecutive time. The golfer is making his 2026 season debut at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic this week.
For the unversed, team Europe is expected to make a decision about the role by March.
Luke Donald said, as quoted by Mirror:
“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. Usually, they announce it sometime in March. It is a little bit more work at home.
You have more control and so it is more work. And I have to travel because I live in the US. Little things like that. Seeing how much they need – all that stuff. If I do it again, it will be full-steam ahead and put everything I can into it. Just got to weigh up the pros and cons really.”
European stars prefer Luke Donald continue as captain
It is pertinent to note that Donald has the backing of several European Team players. The ace golfer openly admitted having stars like Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick opting him to make a comeback to the role.
Luke Donald added:
“A few of the players have obviously expressed they’d love me to come back. I see Rory (McIlroy), and I see Shane and Fitzy (Matt Fitzpatrick) and some of those guys in Florida, quite a lot. I casaully asked: ‘Would you want me to do this the third time?’ And they’re like: ‘Yeah, of course, of course’. So it’s nice to get some of the backing from the players. I think that’s important.”
Shane Lowry has also urged Donald to stay in charge for the Irish edition of the competition. The World No. 26 golfer, who made himself a European hero at Bethpage Black by winning the half point to retain the title in a nerve-wracking final afternoon, said the role is Donald’s “if he wants it.”
For the unversed, Donald stands chance to become the first European captain to win three back-to-back Ryder Cup titles if he takes charge and lead the side to win at Adare Manor, in County Limerick. Only Tony Jacklin and Bernard Gallacher have done the job more than twice. It is also noteworthy that vice-captain Francesco Molinari or Justin Rose are in order to take the skipper job if Donald pass on it.
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