Luke Donald To Remain European Ryder Cup Captain For 2025

For once, common sense has prevailed. Less than 24 hours after Tiger Woods announced he did not want to be considered as captain of the USA for the 2025 Ryder Cup, Luke Donald has been confirmed as the man who will once again lead Europe in New York.

Donald has been victorious in all four of his appearances as a player and one as captain, guiding Europe to a 16.5-11.5 victory in Rome.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

He will become the first Europe captain to serve consecutive terms since Bernard Gallacher between 1991-1995.

"I'm delighted and honoured to lead Team Europe again," Donald said.

"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."

Having been appointed captain in August 2022 as a replacement for the ousted Henrik Stenson following the Swede's move to LIV Golf, Donald helped his side regain the trophy and ensured Europe's unbeaten home record would stretch beyond 30 years.

In Rome, his players made it clear that they wanted him to serve another term, chanting”Two more years, two more years” as he accepted the trophy.

Among his four Ryder Cup appearances as a player, Donald's successes included the the 'Miracle at Medinah' in 2012 when he secured the first singles point of Europe's remarkable comeback.

Donald had served as vice-captain in previous editions under Thomas Bjorn in 2018 and Padraig Harrington in 2021.

Following the team's success in Rome, in which they regained the trophy after a 19-9 loss in Wisconsin in 2021, Jon Rahm said Donald had "done an unbelievable job" while Tommy Fleetwood added that the players were "all so proud of him".

The next Ryder Cup will take place in September 2025 at Bethpage Black, which is set to join Oak Hill Country Club as the second New York course to host the event.

There, Donald will seek to become only the second captain to lead Europe to victories both home and away since Tony Jacklin at The Belfry, in England, in 1985 and Muirfield Village in Ohio in 1987.

Donald added: "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."