Northwestern University Athletics
Luke Donald Named to Third Straight Ryder Cup Captaincy
3/4/2026 6:34:00 PM | Men's Golf
LIMERICK, Ireland (March 4, 2026) – As the Ryder Cup approaches its 100th anniversary, Team Europe will once again turn to Northwestern alum Luke Donald to lead them for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Ireland.
Donald will captain the European squad for the third straight time, after taking victories in both 2023 and 2025. The Englishman joins Dai Rees, Tony Jacklin and Bernard Gallacher as the fourth person to captain Europe in three or more consecutive Ryder Cups, and is seeking to become the first ever to win three in a row.
"The last two Ryder Cups have meant a lot to me and my family," Donald said. "I didn't imagine this third time would come. Celebrating on that Sunday night in New York after a pressure packed week in a tough environment, I thought maybe my job was done. But maybe there is a little more story to tell."
Donald competed four times as a player at the Ryder Cup, winning with Team Europe in 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2012. Donald made his debut as a captain in Rome, Italy, leading the European side to a dominant 16.5-11.5 win at Marco Simone Golf Club.
The Englishman returned as captain in 2025 at Bethpage Black in New York, taking a 15-13 win to retain the Ryder Cup and deliver the first European win on American soil since the 2012 Miracle at Medinah.
Donald was a member of the 2006 Ryder Cup team that took victory in Ireland at the K Club, and now returns to Ireland as a captain, with the team set to compete at Adare Manor from September 13-19, 2027.
Donald will captain the European squad for the third straight time, after taking victories in both 2023 and 2025. The Englishman joins Dai Rees, Tony Jacklin and Bernard Gallacher as the fourth person to captain Europe in three or more consecutive Ryder Cups, and is seeking to become the first ever to win three in a row.
"The last two Ryder Cups have meant a lot to me and my family," Donald said. "I didn't imagine this third time would come. Celebrating on that Sunday night in New York after a pressure packed week in a tough environment, I thought maybe my job was done. But maybe there is a little more story to tell."
Donald competed four times as a player at the Ryder Cup, winning with Team Europe in 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2012. Donald made his debut as a captain in Rome, Italy, leading the European side to a dominant 16.5-11.5 win at Marco Simone Golf Club.
The Englishman returned as captain in 2025 at Bethpage Black in New York, taking a 15-13 win to retain the Ryder Cup and deliver the first European win on American soil since the 2012 Miracle at Medinah.
Donald was a member of the 2006 Ryder Cup team that took victory in Ireland at the K Club, and now returns to Ireland as a captain, with the team set to compete at Adare Manor from September 13-19, 2027.
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