Rors, Rose, Matt & Lowry Lead Player Approval For Donald To Captain Europe For A Third Occasion In ’27

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Members of Luke Donald’s two winning European Ryder Cup teams are naturally delighted Donald has chosen to remain on board to captain the 2027 European Ryder Cup side.

Rory McIlroy headed the good news declaring Donald’s Adare Manor appointment to be ” a huge advantage for European Team to have that continuity back in the team”

McIlroy, and a member of eight European Teams, added ahead of this week’s Arnold Palmer Invigtational:  “I was sort of talking about that continuity going into Bethpage Park, and will have that continuty even moreso again.

“The team maybe or could be a little bit different though probaly a little similar to the Bethpage Park team though maybe we could envision a couple of other guys breaking their way onto the team.

“It’s just wonderful to have Luke back.  There’s not only player or any team member behind the scenes that helps with Ryder Cup Europe that isn’t thrilled that Luke has agreed to come back and captain the team”.

Justin Rose fully supports McIlroy’s view with the veteran of seven European Ryder Cup sides, including being a member of the victorious 2012, 2014, 2018, 2023 and last year’s Bethpage Park winning team.

At age 45, Rose name had been mentioned as a possible Adare Manor captain should Donald have chosen to step down.

“I’m delighted Luke has agreed to stay on for Adare Manor”, said Rose.

“It’s great news and I’m just delighted for him.

“He’s been such a great European captain. He’s efficient.  There’s no fuss. He’s committed.  He’s got a plan and he’ll give the players the freedom to execute it.

“I’ve been very fortunate in my career to have played in seven European teams and would dearly love to be there later next year at Adare Manor”.

Fellow Englishman and fourtime European Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Fitzpatrick is equally delighted.

Fitzpatrick, 31, has represented Europe in four Ryder Cup – 2016, 2021, 2023 and 2025 – though none were more special than winning in 2023 in Rome and then successfully defending the Cup at Bethpage Park a year ago.

“It’s great news and just delighted for Luke”, said Fitzpatrick

“It seemed a no-brainer ​Luke be captain but then there would have been a lot of things that will come into making his decision so it’s so good to have him back on board”.

It seemed appropriate to also ask the 2022 US Open champ what is it about Donald’s leadership that impresses him as a Ryder Cup captain.

“Luke’s a calm captain, not a let’s get up and go, screaming at you captain”, said Fitzpatrick.

“He motivates the players under him in a different way, exhibiting smart leadership.  It’s clear he’s learnt a lot about himself and that came through in the two Ryder Cup teams he captained.

“He does have that ability in him and he’s made a great success of it”.

And Shane Lowry, who is returning to the competition after the bitter disappointment of last Sunday’s Cognizant Championship, was very much back to normal is captaining his pr0-am team here at Bay Hill.

Lowry was accompanied as he played the pro-am by his father, Brendan and the mood and manner was all about this week’s $20m tournament.

And again to his enormous credit, the player who holed the winning putt at Bethpage Park, provided a response to GolfByTourMiss when asked his reaction to Donald’s news.

“It’s brilliant news. Luke’s a fantastic captain and a real leader, and the players love playing for him,” said Lowry and a veteran of three Ryder Cups.

“I’ll be doing everything I can to make that team. Playing a Ryder Cup in Adare would be incredibly special.”



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