Luke Donald has refused to rule out a 3rd stint as Ryder Cup captain, however who might be within the working if he decides in opposition to main Workforce Europe once more within the 2027 contest?

Donald has joined Tony Jacklin as the one European captains in historical past to win back-to-back Ryder Cups, having adopted their 2023 success in Rome with a nail-biting 15-13 victory at Bethpage Black.

It was the primary away victory – by both group – since 2012 and got here after Donald’s facet received the primary 4 periods to construct a record-breaking benefit, with solely a powerful final-day fightback from Workforce USA stopping a extra convincing victory.

Donald obtained shouts from his European gamers for “two extra years” in his victory press convention in New York, simply as he did on the 18th inexperienced in Italy, however the former world No 1 remains to be not sure on whether or not he would decide to a 3rd consecutive stint as captain.

“I am by no means going to rule it [2027 captaincy] out proper now,” Donald instructed Sky Sports activities. “I want time to course of. Like all the things I do I’m going into element about what the problem is and what lies forward.

“Lots of people thought I used to be loopy going a second time round. Why now? When all the things went nicely in Rome, simply stroll away as a winner, however now I’ve clearly received dwelling and away – that is fairly particular.”

Donald is the odds-on favorite to change into the primary three-time Ryder Cup captain since Bernard Gallacher in 1995, the place he would have the chance to change into the primary European ever captain to win three consecutive Ryder Cups.

However what occurs if Donald elects in opposition to going for the historic threepeat? We have a look at a few of the different contenders to guide Workforce Europe at Adare Manor in 2027…

Justin Rose

The Englishman was the oldest member of Donald’s group at Bethpage Black, the place he marked his seventh Ryder Cup look by partnering Tommy Fleetwood to victory in two fourballs periods earlier than main out Europe within the final-day singles.

Rose was a taking part in captain for Nice Britain and Eire of their Workforce Cup success earlier this 12 months, an early expertise of a backroom position, whereas his wealth of Ryder Cup expertise makes him an apparent captaincy candidate.

He received on the PGA Tour this season and is at the moment contained in the world’s prime 15, though will likely be 47 when the 2027 contest will get beneath manner. Rose has beforehand expressed curiosity in being a Ryder Cup captain, however will he have sights on one other taking part in look?

Francesco Molinari

Molinari was the star man of Europe’s 2018 victory in Paris, the place he grew to become the primary European participant to win all 5 periods and was a part of a dominant pairing with Fleetwood.

He has been on the profitable facet on all three Ryder Cup appearances as a participant – together with the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ in 2012 and was one among Donald’s vice-captains for the final two victories.

Throw in two stints as taking part in captain within the Workforce Cup and Molinari is a primary captaincy candidate. With the very best of his taking part in profession seemingly behind him, with the Italian at the moment outdoors the world’s prime 500, a Molinari-led Europe sooner or later can be no shock.

Edoardo Molinari

If not Francesco, then how about his older brother? Edoardo was a part of the profitable dwelling facet at Celtic Manor in 2010 however has since become the ‘secret weapon’ as Europe’s statistics and information guru within the backroom set-up.

Donald leaned closely on Molinari as a vice-captain in each of Europe’s final two victories, the place the Italian used information to determine course suits, devise the qualification system and helped figuring out pairings. May Molinari step up from being the ‘hidden star’ behind the scenes to the chief of the group?

Thomas Bjorn

Bjorn led Workforce Europe to a powerful victory in Paris in 2018, with a everlasting reminiscence of that win coming when the Dane caught to his pre-event promise of getting a Ryder Cup tattoo on his bottom.

His Ryder Cup expertise is plain, with three profitable appearances a participant and a staggering six stints as a vice-captain – together with for Donald previously two editions – alongside that captaincy stint.

A drained McIlroy praised Bjorn’s assist for dragging him via his Sunday singles tussle with Scottie Scheffler in New York. With Bjorn nonetheless totally embedded within the European group room, would a second time period be the smoothest custom for a post-Donald period?

Padraig Harrington

An Irish captain for a Ryder Cup in Eire can be fairly acceptable, though Harrington led Europe to their record-breaking defeat when beforehand serving as captain in 2021.

Harrington made six Ryder Cup appearances and served on a vice-captain on three events, though was not concerned in both of Europe’s final two successes and watched Europe’s win in New York from dwelling. Will he return – in some capability – for a Ryder Cup on dwelling soil?

Shane Lowry

It could appear unlikely that Lowry would step as much as captaincy at this stage of his profession, however he will likely be 40 when the following Ryder Cup is held in his dwelling nation – a 12 months youthful that Bradley was in New York.

Lowry’s love for Workforce Europe has been evident in every of his three appearances, along with his emotional celebrations on the 18th inexperienced – after securing the purpose to retain the trophy this 12 months – one of many nice Ryder Cup moments.

He is nonetheless inside the highest 25 and feels extra prone to be contained in the ropes than holding a backroom position in Eire, though Lowry has already proven the eagerness and attributes that doubtless go away him as a future potential captain.

What about LIV Golf League gamers?

LIV Golf League gamers have competed in each the earlier two Ryder Cups, though no golfer from the circuit has – as yet- been given captaincy or held any place inside a backroom group.

Brooks Koepka represented Workforce USA in in 2023 and Bryson DeChambeau New York, whereas Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton each featured in Europe’s away success, with the LIV Golf League additionally dwelling to a number of Ryder Cup stalwarts beforehand touted as potential future captains.

All Ryder Cup captains should be a member of the DP World Tour, who impose fines for competing in conflicting occasions, which at the moment leaves a captaincy position far much less viable at current for these competing on LIV Golf.

Europe’s document factors scorer Sergio Garcia tried to earn a captain’s decide for Bethpage Black after paying his excellent fines, with the Spaniard nonetheless hopeful of returning to the Ryder Cup set-up sooner or later.

Graeme McDowell is a two-time vice-captain and has beforehand expressed curiosity in being concerned in any capability at Adare Manor, with Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood different gamers who supply big Ryder Cup expertise however haven’t been concerned since becoming a member of LIV Golf.

Whoever does succeed Donald, whether or not that be in 2027 or additional sooner or later, could have powerful sneakers to fill.

What’s subsequent?

The following Ryder Cup takes place at Adare Manor in Eire from September 17-19, 2027 – the second time the occasion has been held in Eire and the centenary staging of the biennial contest. Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW.