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Donald named Europe captain for third timeImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Luke Donald became the first European captain since Tony Jacklin to win back-to-back Ryder Cups ByMatt GaultBBC Sport NI senior journalistPublished4 March 2026, 13:02 GMT168 Comments
Luke Donald will attempt to become the first captain to win three Ryder Cups in a row after his third term as European skipper was verified for next year’s edition in Ireland.
Having won the competition four times as a player and twice served as vice-captain, Donald led Europe to a 16½-11½ win over the USA in Rome in 2023 before masterminding last year’s dramatic 15-13 triumph in New York.
Donald will be the first European captain to serve three consecutive terms since Bernard Gallacher between 1991 and 1995.
Next year’s Ryder Cup takes place at Adare Manor in County Limerick from 17-19 September.
“To be totally honest, I probably didn’t firmly make up my mind until a few weeks ago,” Donald told BBC Sport NI’s Gavin Andrews.
“The time between Rome and New York was very short. I was eager to get back into having an opportunity to try and win an away Ryder Cup in New York. That was a big challenge for me and there was no real time between those Ryder Cups to relax and let it sink in.”
Donald added: “I felt like for four straight years I was involved in Ryder Cups so I did want to take some time and enjoy it [after New York].
“To be honest, after we won in New York, it wasn’t really at the forefront of my mind at all.
“But having got some backing from my family and the players and realising the opportunity, being in Ireland at Adare, it will be special with the 100th anniversary [of the Ryder Cup], I thought let’s go for a third.”
The USA have not named their captain, with 15-time major winner Tiger Woods considering an offer to succeed Keegan Bradley.
Europe’s 2025 success was their first on American soil since 2012 and meant Donald became only the second captain to lead the team to victories both home and away since Tony Jacklin in 1985 and 1987.
Former world number one Donald, 48, was initially appointed as a late replacement for the 2023 matches in Rome after LIV defector Henrik Stenson was told he would not be allowed to take on the role while playing on the breakaway tour.
He led Europe to a commanding triumph over the USA at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
In New York, Donald’s side built a record 11½-4½ lead going into the Sunday singles before holding off an American comeback to win in a highly charged atmosphere.
Donald played in Europe’s win on Irish soil at the K Club in 2006.
“The Irish golf fans are some of the best in the world. They are so passionate about the game, so hospitable and so down to earth,” he added.
“They will bring such a great energy to the Ryder Cup. I am sure they will get behind our players and cheers us on.
“That’s what you want from a crowd – to pick you up in those low moments and keep you going when things are going well.”
Donald’s leadership style was widely praised by his players after both wins.
Following the event at Bethpage, Spaniard Jon Rahm reported he had done an “astonishing” job across his two stints.
However, Rahm’s participation in Ireland is in doubt amid his dispute with the DP World Tour.
This week he reported the tour is “extorting players” while outlining why he is not among a group of LIV Golf competitors to have signed a settlement enabling them to play in both organisations’ tournaments.
In February eight players were granted releases by the DP World Tour to participate in LIV Golf events this year, allowing them to retain memberships and remain eligible for Ryder Cup selection.
The waiver included an agreement to pay outstanding fines reportedly in the region of £2.5m levied for playing in LIV events without DP World Tour permission, the withdrawal of all pending appeals and an acceptance to take part in stipulated DP World Tour tournaments.
When asked about Rahm’s comments, Donald reported he had not yet spoken to the two-time major winner.
“It would be great to get to understand where he’s coming from.
“Obviously I would love for him to be available for that team in Ireland, but there’s still 16 or 17 months so we have much time on our hands.”
Image source, Getty ImagesDonald led Europe to a 15-13 win at Bethpage Black last year
Donald’s reappointment always felt like a no-brainer – certainly from the perspective of the European Ryder Cup committee trying mastermind another home victory, the players who adore and admire the Englishman, and the thousands of European fans who jubilantly chanted “two more years” as they partied at Bethpage.
The only one who seemed to need convincing was Donald himself.
Donald has thrown everything into the role – arguably more than any other captain in the 99-year history of the iconic event. So it is no surprise he wanted to take his time over the decision whether to continue or not.
On the morning after Europe clung on to victory, Donald looked exhausted when he sat down for a BBC Sport interview.
It was not a hangover from the celebrations. It was a hangover from the mental and physical exertions spent over the whole Bethpage cycle.
What Donald had to weigh up was whether he had enough energy to go through another 18 months of meticulous research, preparation and implementation.
His leadership has been characterised by warm man-management and attention to detail.
How many captains regularly message a wide pool of playing candidates in an attempt to make each one of them feel integral to the team?
How many captains have asked for cracks in hotel doors to be covered because they let too much light into the rooms and could disrupt sleep?
Minor moves in a macro machine. That is what Donald has built his Ryder Cup dynasty on.
In the midst of the beer-swilling Bethpage shindig, Shane Lowry remarked that whoever follows Donald – whenever that might be – will have to fill a void as big as the one left by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
If Donald manages to complete a rare Treble, like Fergie did in 1999, his place in the pantheon of British sporting leaders will also be secured.
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