Luke Donald named 2025 European Ryder Cup captain

It’s official – Luke Donald will captain Europe once again at the 2025 Ryder Cup.

The 45-year-old Englishman returns to the role having led Europe to a 16½-11½ victory against the United States in the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome last month.

He will become Europe’s first repeat captain since Bernard Gallacher, who served in 1991, 1993 and 1995.

Donald will also be aiming to become only the second captain to lead Europe to victories both home and away, following Tony Jacklin who achieved the double at Muirfield Village in Ohio in 1987 following his team’s victory at The Belfry in 1985.

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“I’m delighted and honoured to have been given the chance to lead Team Europe in the Ryder Cup once again,” said Donald.

“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.

“I’ve been fortunate as a player to have had many amazing times in the Ryder Cup over the years and so to add being a winning captain to that, to form bonds with the 12 players like we did in Italy and to get the result we did, was very special indeed.

Two more years? 🤷‍♂️#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/vHAKMPeM3H

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) November 29, 2023

Donald added: “The Ryder Cup means so much to me, so to be captain again and have the chance to create more history by becoming only the second European captain to win back-to-back is exciting.

“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.”

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Guy Kinnings, the Executive Director of the Ryder Cup, said: “Luke was a superb captain in Rome and we are delighted that he will be returning to the role for the 2025 Ryder Cup in New York.

“He demonstrated clear, calm and meticulous leadership skills in Rome, and all those qualities will be big assets again for Luke and Team Europe as they take on the considerable challenge of trying to retain the Ryder Cup against a strong US team backed by passionate support in New York.”

It is not clear who Luke Donald’s opposite number will be. Tiger Woods is the front-runner to succeed Zach Johnson as US captain but, speaking to the media yesterday ahead of this week’s Hero World Challenge, was non-committal on that prospect.

“Right now there’s too much at stake with our tour to think about a Ryder Cup right now,” he said. “We have to get this [Framework Agreement] done and we have to be focused on this right now. The players and everyone involved understands that this is an issue we need to focus on.”

The 2025 Ryder Cup will take place over the Black Course at Bethpage State Park, NY, from September 26-28, 2025.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor