It has been less than a month since he was officially announced as captain for a third consecutive Ryder Cup and Luke Donald has already chosen his first vice-captain. No surprises.
The Italian Edoardo Molinari will be European vice-captain for the 2027 edition, which will be played at Adare Manor from 17 to 19 September. Third time lucky. It will be his third consecutive Ryder in the role and it is no coincidence. Why change what works, Luke Donald must think. For ‘Dodo’ there was no doubt. The phone rings; on the other end is Luke Donald, and the answer comes naturally: “Yes, of course. It goes without saying,” Molinari himself explained.
At 45, the Italian will once again be the statistical mastermind behind the scenes, responsible for feeding the Englishman precise information in a competition where every detail can be decisive. His analytical model has become a key tool for understanding pairings, trends and even how to “prepare” a course in favour of the home team.
Molinari is not the typical vice-captain of fiery speeches or showy gestures. His domain is data. He is, without doubt, one of the most influential men in the European team.
It is no coincidence that he has been part of the last two victories: the one at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in 2023 and the one at Bethpage Black Course in 2025. Two very different contexts, same result. Molinari is clear that what happened in New York was another level. Europe had gone years without winning away from home and did so in one of the most hostile settings in world golf. “Something that seemed impossible,” he said. Now Europe arrives in Ireland with a different momentum. The Irish support promises to be a decisive factor.
‘Dodo’s relationship with the Ryder goes back a long way. He played it as a golfer in 2010, in Wales, alongside his brother Francesco. They were the first brothers in almost five decades to represent Europe together.
Three wins on the DP World Tour, US Amateur champion in 2005, number one on the Challenge Tour in 2009… but, above all, an analytical mind that has found its natural habitat in the Ryder. Also, the 2027 edition will not be just another one. It will be the centenary and Europe has already begun to build it, Donald in command and Molinari in the engine room.
