Luke Donald Named European Ryder Cup Captain Again for 2025
Englishman Luke Donald will again captain the European Ryder Cup team in 2025.
Less than two months after Europe’s 16½ to 11½ victory over the United States at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Italy, the 45-year-old will stay in the job for two more years and try for a rare win on foreign soil at Bethpage Black outside New York City.
“I’m delighted and honored to have been given the chance to lead Team Europe in the Ryder Cup once again,” Donald said. “Great opportunities don’t come along very often in life and I’m a great believer that when they do, you need to grab them with both hands—this is one of these moments.”
Luke Donald, pictured two months ago holding the Ryder Cup in celebration, will return as Europe's captain in 2025.
Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports
Donald, a four-time player in the biennial matches, will be the first repeat captain since Scotsman Bernard Gallacher, who led the Europeans in 1991, 1993 and 1995.
Donald aims to become only the second captain to lead Europe to victories both home and away. Tony Jacklin achieved the double at Muirfield Village in Ohio in 1987, retaining the Ryder Cup following his team’s victory in 1985 at The Belfry in England.
“He demonstrated clear, calm and meticulous leadership skills in Rome, and all those qualities will be big assets again for Luke and Team Europe as they take on the considerable challenge of trying to retain the Ryder Cup against a strong U.S. Team backed by passionate support in New York,” said Guy Kinnings, executive director of the European Ryder Cup.
Donald became captain on Aug. 1, 2022, when Sweden’s Henrik Stenson lost the job after leaving the DP World Tour to join LIV Golf.
Now Donald will have to face what will be clearly a hostile crowd in New York in order to win on the road for only the fifth time since the Ryder Cup was expanded to include Europe in 1979.
“There is no question that being a captain away from home is a tough task. But I have never shied away from challenges throughout my career, and it is precisely the kind of thing that motivates me," Donald said. "I can’t wait to get another 12-strong team to Bethpage in 2025.”