Luke Donald, the former world number one and four-time Ryder Cup winner, has been confirmed as the captain of Europe for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York. Donald will become the first European to captain the team in consecutive tournaments since Bernard Gallacher in 1995.
Donald’s impressive Ryder Cup record
Donald has an impressive Ryder Cup record as both a player and a captain. He made his debut in 2004 and was part of four winning teams, including the memorable comeback at Medinah in 2012, where he led the singles with a crucial victory over Bubba Watson. He also served as a vice-captain under Thomas Bjorn in 2018 and Padraig Harrington in 2020.
As a captain, Donald led Europe to a dominant 16½-11½ victory over the United States in Rome last month, extending Europe’s unbeaten home record to more than 30 years. He was praised for his meticulous preparation, motivational skills and tactical acumen, as well as his rapport with the players and the fans.
Donald said he was “incredibly proud” to be named European captain for 2025 and that it was “one of the greatest honours” in golf. He said he loved everything the Ryder Cup embodied, from the camaraderie and companionship of being part of a team, to the history of the contest, but most of all playing for something bigger than yourself.
Donald to face a tough challenge in New York
Donald will face a tough challenge in 2025, as he will try to become the first European captain to win on American soil since Jose Maria Olazabal in 2012. He will also have to contend with a hostile crowd at Bethpage Black, a public course that has hosted two US Opens and is known for its passionate and vocal fans.
Donald said he was aware of the difficulty of the task ahead, but also relished the opportunity to make history. He said he had not given much thought to staying on as captain, but that he would consider it after the players chanted “two more years” at him during the trophy presentation in Rome. He said he might go out leaving a legacy as a winning captain, or he might take on the challenge of winning in New York, which would be “some accomplishment”.
Donald has already ensured continuity in his backroom staff, confirming that Thomas Bjorn and Edoardo Molinari will remain as his vice-captains. He said he trusted them implicitly and that they had been invaluable in his success in Rome. He also said he would consult with his players and other former captains to make the best decisions for the team.
Donald’s remarkable playing career
Donald’s appointment as captain for 2025 is also a recognition of his remarkable playing career, which saw him reach the top of the world rankings in 2011 and stay there for 56 weeks. He also became the first player to win the money lists on both the European Tour and the PGA Tour in the same year, and won 17 titles worldwide, including five on the PGA Tour and seven on the European Tour.
Donald was known for his consistency, accuracy and short game, as well as his class and sportsmanship. He was awarded the MBE in 2012 for his services to golf and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2019. He is still active on the PGA Tour, but has struggled with injuries and form in recent years. He said he still had the desire to compete and win, but that his focus was now on captaining Europe to another Ryder Cup triumph.
