The European skipper will give decision by March on taking the job for the third time by March in Ireland in 2027
Luke Donald will hold talks with the DP World Tour in Dubai this week about taking the Ryder Cup captaincy for the third time in 2027. And Bethpage Black hero Shane Lowry has urged the Englishman to stay in charge in Ireland.
The former world No.1 led Europe to an unforgettable away win in Long Island last September after winning back the trophy in Rome in 2021. No European captain has won three times – and only Tony Jacklin and Bernard Gallacher have done the job more than twice.
Donald, 48, is playing at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic this week – his first event of the year.
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But he will also speak to DP World chief executive Guy Kinnings about the Ryder Cup captaincy with Europe needing to make a decision in the next couple of months.
“I will sit down for a chat with Guy this week just to see where I am,” said Donald. “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.”
Lowry won the half point to retain the Ryder Cup in New York during a nerve-wracking final afternoon. “I think it’s Luke’s if he wants it,” said the world No.26.
“Does he want it or not? I’m not sure. It’s a big undertaking for him, and he’s obviously been very successful. But you know, obviously there’s a huge carrot dangling there to go three in a row and be the only person to do that, or he will be the only person ever to do that, yeah.
“I think, yeah, but that’s up to him. He’s here this week. I’m sure he’ll have conversations about it this week. Like is there a template there? Probably yes. But I think the last two Ryder Cups and the continuity of it all was amazing, and it obviously will be good to have that for Adare Manor.
“But it is his decision. It is a big undertaking for him, and it’s also a big undertaking for his family because he will be travelling a lot more. He’ll be in Ireland a lot obviously getting ready for it. When you’re doing a home Ryder Cup, there’s a lot more planning with you and your wife and stuff. Yeah, I’d certainly love to see him as a captain.”
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 that’s important.”
Vice-captain Francesco Molinari or Justin Rose would be candidates if Donald decides against taking the job again.
