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Steering Team Europe to Ryder Cup victory is more than a one-man job, so who are Luke Donald’s vice-captains?

The Englishman might have the greatest responsibility, guiding his continent into battle in Rome, but he has five men by his side.

Selected by Donald, his vice-captains for the 2023 Ryder Cup are Thomas Bjorn, Eduardo Molinari, Francesco Molinari, Nicolas Colsaerts, and Jose Maria Olazabal.

The quintet is comprised of some of Europe’s most decorated and respected players, in the hope of re-claiming the crown in Italy.

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Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup vice-captains

As Team Europe set out for revenge in the biennial match against the United States, Luke Donald
has picked an experienced support cast.

Thomas Bjorn

The great Dane was named as Team Europe’s first vice-captain for 2023 by former leader Henrik Stenson.

Bjorn has a wealth of experience, having been part of eight Ryder Cup teams, including a famous win as team captain in 2018 on home soil.

The veteran, who began his Ryder Cup career in 1997, was named as a vice-captain on four occasions before heading to Rome in 2023.

Eduardo Molinari

Another of Stenson’s selections, Eduardo Molinari has buckets of experience, with over 350 DP World Tour starts.

The Italian will bring ‘home advantage’ to Team Europe in 2023, as Donald now has local knowledge to rely on.

Molinari, who won the event alongside his brother Francesco in 2010, will undoubtedly be a popular addition among the home support.

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Nicolas Colsaerts

The Belgian was named as Donald’s third vice-captain almost a year before the hotly anticipated clash.

Colsaerts was a member of the winning Ryder Cup team in 2012 at Medinah, producing one of the most memorable debuts in the events history.

The popular three-time DP World Tour winner teamed up with Lee Westwood to defeat Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker, carding eight birdies and one eagle.

Donald recognised Colsaerts ability to keep an eye on European players while he was in the US on the lead up to the match.

Jose Maria Olazabal

The Spaniard was Team Europe’s penultimate vice-captain choice ahead of the tournament at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

Synonymous with the Ryder Cup, Olazabal has contested seven matches as a player, been a vice-captain three times, and captained the European triumph in 2012.

The European legend has won 20.5 points for his side and secured 33 wins, including two Masters wins, across a storied career.

Olazabal captained Donald in 2012, and the Englishman said: “When you think of José María Olázabal, you immediately think of the Ryder Cup.”

Francesco Molinari

Luke Donald’s final vice-captain Francesco Molinari completed the line-up for Rome.

The Italian’s game is etched in the history books as his country’s first major winner, and as the first European to win a maximum five points from five matches at a Ryder Cup.

With his elder brother, Francesco made his debut in 2010 before also being a part of the winning team in 2012 and 2018.

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