Luke Donald retains Team Europe Ryder Cup captaincy for 2025

Luke Donald will retain European Ryder Cup captaincy for 2025 in New York.

The Englishman will go back-to-back with captaincy in Bethpage Black, becoming the first repeat European Captain in 30 years.

After masterminding Team Europe to a commanding 16.5-11.5 victory in Rome, 45-year-old Donald gets another crack at the whip in 2025, where he will aim to become only the second European Captain to achieve a home and away double in Ryder Cup history.

Tony Jacklin was the first, leading Europe to victories at The Belfry, England in 1985 before retaining the Cup at Muirfield Village, Ohio in 1987.

Donald also becomes Europe’s first repeat Captain since Bernhard Gallacher who held the role for three consecutive Ryder Cups, in 1991, 1993, and 1995, before handing the reigns to Seve Ballesteros.

Donald was non-commital about his willingness to return to the hot seat in the aftermath of victory in Rome, despite a unanimous groundswell of support led by Rory McIlroy from within the European camp.

After a couple of months of reflecting, it is now apparent that the opportunity to build on Rome by targeting the double at Bethpage Black was simply too good to turn down.

Donald said: “I’m delighted and honored to have been given the chance to lead Team Europe in the Ryder Cup once again. Great opportunities don’t come along very often in life and I’m a great believer that when they do, you need to grab them with both hands – this is one of these moments.

“The Ryder Cup means so much to me, so to be Captain again and have the chance to create more history by becoming only the second European Captain to win back-to-back is exciting.”

Donald will be under no illusions however about the size of the task awaiting his troops in New York.

Padraig Harrington’s team was humbled 19-9 at Whistling Straights last time out on American soil, despite winning comfortably in France in 2018.

There is no room for complacency, and Donald will need to refer back to the notes he made on all his captains during his playing days to devise and execute a strategy capable of overcoming a wounded USA team fueled by revenge and inevitable raucous home support.

Another mouth-watering prospect is the growing likelihood that Donald may have to rely on out-witting 15-time Major winner and golf’s most influential person, Tiger Woods, if Europe is to retain the 1927 Trophy.

Tiger is the favorite to take the job, permitting he wants it, and accepting the role will likely depend on the success of his latest return to competitive golf following ankle surgery.

Donald is unlikely to be fazed, however – quite the opposite in fact. It would seem this type of challenge is precisely what has motivated the former World No.1 to get back on the horse for the New York rodeo.

“It’s something a little bit out of my control, so I’m not really trying to think about it, once it happens, then we’ll address it. But if it’s Tiger or someone else, again, I’m looking forward to the challenge of being captain once more.

“There is no question that being a Captain away from home is a tough task. But I have never shied away from challenges throughout my career and it is precisely the kind of thing that motivates me. I can’t wait to get another 12-strong team to Bethpage in 2025”, added Donald.

With four wins from four Ryder Cup appearances as a player, contributing 10.5 points from 15 matches, and now a winning Captain, Donald has already stamped his name in history as a European Ryder Cup great.

Retaining the trophy on American soil would surely cement his name right towards the very top.

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Ross Tugwood
Golf Equipment Writer

Ross Tugwood is a golf equipment writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in data, analytics, science, and innovation. He’s also an expert in golf apparel and has a keen interest in sustainability.

Ross is passionate about optimizing sports performance and has a decade of experience working with professional athletes and coaches for British Athletics, the UK Sports Institute, and Team GB.

Ross uses a Cobra King SZ Speedzone driver, Titleist TSi2 3-Wood, TaylorMade Sim2 Rescue, Callaway Apex Pro irons (4-PW), Cleveland 588 RTX wedges (52°, 58°), TaylorMade Spider Ex putter, and a TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball.