Luke Donald to Return as European Ryder Cup Captain for 2027, Can Make History With Win

Luke Donald will return to captain Team Europe for a third consecutive Ryder Cup in 2027, the tournament announced Wednesday.

Donald previously captained the European team to victory in Rome in 2023 and at Bethpage Black last September.

A win in Limerick, Ireland next year would make him the first captain in Ryder Cup history to lead his team to three straight victories.

The United States hasn't yet announced their captain for the 2027 event, although the Associated Press' Doug Ferguson has reported Tiger Woods is the "top choice."

The next edition of the Ryder Cup is set to take place from September 13-19, 2027 at Adare Manor in Limerick.

Donald, 48, is a former world No. 1 and the 2011 PGA Tour Player of the Year.

He competed in four Ryder Cups as a player, contributing 10.5 points in 15 matches during Team Europe wins in 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2012. He also served as vice captain in 2018 and 2021.

Donald is the fourth European captain to serve in his role for three or more consecutive tournaments, and the first since Bernard Gallacher in 1995.

Tony Jacklin retained the Ryder Cup for three straight contests as captain following a 14-14 final score in the 1989 competition, but Donald could make history with another outright victory.

"History is obviously important to me... But I don't think I have ever thought about history through a personal lens," Donald said in a statement. "I just try to enjoy the journey and the day-to-day work to create an environment that gives the players the opportunity for success. That is what I focus on.""

The PGA of America has given Woods a "soft deadline" of the Masters to decide if he wants to take the job opposite Donald in 2027, according to Ferguson. Players are set to start playing at Augusta National on April 6.

Woods was also tabbed by the U.S. Team to serve as captain at the 2025 Ryder Cup, although he later turned down the opportunity.

Woods said at the time his declining the role "does not mean I wouldn't want to captain a team in the future."

"If and when I feel it is the right time, I will put my hat in the ring for this committee to decide," Woods said in a July 2024 statement.

The United States ultimately named Keegan Bradley captain that same month, just ten months before the 2025 Ryder Cup kicked off in Farmingdale, New York.

Team Europe stormed out to a commanding 11.5-4.5 lead heading into the final day at Bethpage Black last September before the United States came close to completing the largest comeback in Ryder Cup history.

The U.S. Team was ultimately unable to close the gap to avoid conceding a 15-13 defeat.

The tournament marked a second straight win for Team Europe, which also won 16.5-11.5 in Rome two years prior.

That marked the seventh straight tournament the Europeans had won on home soil, a streak that will extend to 34 years by the time players arrive in Ireland for the 2027 tournament.