Luke Donald continues to build the European Ryder Cup 2027 team on the same foundations that brought him glory in Rome and Bethpage. The English captain announced on Tuesday that Francesco Molinari will be his second vice-captain for the next edition, which will be played at Adare Manor in Limerick, Ireland, from 13 to 19 September 2027
The Italian thus joins his brother Edoardo Molinari on Donald’s working team. It will be the third consecutive Ryder Cup with both brothers on the European staff, after being part of the victories at Marco Simone in 2023 and Bethpage in 2025
Donald’s bet is clear: continuity, experience and a formula that has worked wonderfully. Europe will seek in Ireland its third consecutive victory against the United States, precisely in the year when the Ryder Cup will celebrate its centenary
“I was very pleased when Luke asked me. I have had two fantastic experiences in Rome and New York, very different from each other, but both unforgettable and among the best weeks of my life”, Molinari said
The Italian did not hesitate for a second to accept the proposal. “It was an easy and straightforward decision. I felt honoured and delighted when Luke called me. We have been working together as a team for some time, so it was a very simple conversation. Whenever you are asked to take part, there is only one possible answer, and I’m looking forward to being there again”.
Molinari had words of great praise for Donald, whose figure as European captain has come out much strengthened after the last two editions. “Luke has been a great leader in recent years. I think he has really found something special in this role. It suits him perfectly and he has only improved with time and experience. Communication is a huge part of his job and also of ours”, he explained
The winner of the 2018 Open Championship went even further when assessing what happened at Bethpage. “What I saw at Bethpage was, without doubt, the best captaincy I have witnessed in all the Ryder Cups I have taken part in. I am eager to see how it continues to evolve over the next two years ahead of Ireland”.
Donald, for his part, highlighted Molinari’s particular importance within the European dressing room. “I am really delighted to have Francesco back. He has been a key part of the team as vice-captain the last two times I have been captain. For me it was a very simple decision. He brings huge experience, a great record of success in the Ryder Cup and I love his personality”, he said
The European captain emphasised in particular the Italian’s calm and thoughtful character. “He is a very measured person; he thinks a lot about his role and how he can help create the right atmosphere and culture that we have had in the last two Ryder Cups. Continuity also plays an important role. The players know what Francesco brings”
Molinari has a very special history with the Ryder Cup. As a player he was part of three winning European teams. He made his debut in 2010 at Celtic Manor alongside his brother Edoardo and in 2012, at Medinah, he secured half a point in the final singles match against Tiger Woods, ensuring José María Olazábal’s team won 14½ to 13½
His brightest moment came in Paris 2018, when he became the first European player to win all five of his matches in a single Ryder Cup. That year was unforgettable for him, as a few months earlier he had won the Open Championship at Carnoustie, becoming the first Italian to win a major
Now, in a different role, Molinari will once again be part of a European machine that has found in Donald a leader of enormous reliability. Ireland awaits. And Europe is already beginning to put its pieces in place
