Ryder Cup: Luke Donald makes strong hint over next vice-captain

Luke Donald stopped short of naming his next Ryder Cup vice-captain in a ‘One Year to Go’ press conference in New York – but he did leave a very strong hint.

The Europe skipper has already confirmed Thomas Bjorn and Edoardo Molinari as assistants for next year’s away showdown at Bethpage against the United States.

But Donald had five trusted lieutenants for his victory at Marco Simone in Rome, with Nicolas Colsaerts, Francesco Molinari and Jose Maria Olazabal filling out his backroom staff.

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It’s highly likely that he’ll lean on similar expertise on Long Island.

And in Colsaerts, Donald has a colleague who knows what it takes to win on away soil after the pair both starred as players in the 2012 Miracle of Medinah.

“Playing in it, being part of it or even watching on TV, how can you not enjoy it? Even if you just get a small role, it’s an amazing thing to be part of,” the Belgian told The Scotsman after coming up just sort of victory last week at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in St Andrews.

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“I think (Donald) would just look at how the next eight or months pan out and he will make a decision. But I would like to think I am on the short list.”

Colsaerts would be correct.

“I’ve been in contact with Nico,” Donald said. “It was great to see him have a chance of winning last week, rolling back the years. I really thought he was going to do it at some point.

“He was a great addition to our backroom team as a vie-captain in Rome, he’s very knowledgeable and friendly with all the European players. He gets along with them all. He has a great energy and a great vibe.

“I’ve so far just named Edoardo and Thomas as two vice-captains but Nico is someone we’re definitely keeping in mind for Bethpage.”

Ben Parsons is the Senior Writer at bunkered and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.