Luke Donald returning as European Ryder Cup captain for 2027 at Adare Manor

Luke Donald will captain Europe for a third consecutive Ryder Cup in 2027, it was announced on Wednesday.

The 48-year-old Donald captained Europe to victories at the past two Ryder Cups in Rome (2023) and Bethpage (2025). He will look to make it an historic trifecta when Team Europe and Team USA do battle in 2027 at Ireland's Adare Manor.

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No Ryder Cup captain has ever led his side to three straight wins in the event.

“The last two Ryder Cups have meant a lot to me and my family. I didn’t imagine this third time would come. Celebrating on that Sunday night in New York after a pressure packed week in a tough environment, I thought maybe my job was done. But maybe there is a little more story to tell.

“This Ryder Cup Captaincy journey has given me so much focus, so much purpose and it is something I don’t take for granted. It’s a real privilege and I am certainly looking forward to another home Ryder Cup.

“History is obviously important to me. As a team, as Ryder Cup Europe, we all play for history. We talk about it a lot, about the guys who paved the way for us and the responsibility we have to inspire next generations. But I don’t think I have ever thought about history through a personal lens. 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.”

Donald-led European teams defeated the U.S. 16.5-11.5 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in 2023 and 15-13 this past September at Bethpage Black Golf Course in New York. He will join Dai Rees, Tony Jacklin and Bernard Gallacher as European captains in three or more consecutive Ryder Cups.

Donald, a former world No. 1 as a player, took part in four Ryder Cups with Team Europe, winning all four times.

Now that Europe's captain is settled, where will the U.S. turn? Tiger Woods' name has been out there since before Keegan Bradley was chosen as the captain for Bethpage. But injury recovery and the work he's been doing as part of helping shape the PGA Tour's future forced Woods to pass up the opportunity.

Now, however, Woods acknowledged last month that he has spoken with the PGA of America about being the 2027 captain, but has yet to make a decision.

“They have asked me for my input on it, and I haven’t made my decision yet,” Woods said. “I’m trying to figure out what we’re trying to do with our tour. That’s been driving me hours upon hours every day and trying to figure out if I can actually do our team — Team USA and our players and everyone that’s going to be involved in the Ryder Cup — if I can do it justice with my time.”