Luke Donald’s backroom team will have a new face for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor – and he’s as shocked as anyone…
Padraig Harrington was convinced his involvement with the Ryder Cup was over.
The Irishman has had quite the relationship with the biennial slobberknocker between the teams from Europe and the United States. Harrington competed in all six editions between 1999 and 2010, winning four and returning 10.5 points from 25 matches, before going onto serve as an assistant to Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke and Thomas Bjorn in 2014, ’16 and ’18 respectively. But when he was handed the reins at Whistling Straits in 2021, where he led the side to a humiliating record-breaking 19-9 defeat.
That was, to date, his last involvement with the competition. But with next year’s matches set for Adare Manor, in his homeland, Donald – who was an assistant to Harrington in that fateful week in Wisconsin – felt like it was the perfect time to bring the three-time major champion back into the blue and yellow fold.
“I’m thrilled to have Padraig on board,” he said. “His experience, insight and connection with the Irish fans make him a fantastic addition to our team.
“I’ve been around Padraig in many Ryder Cup team rooms. He brings a wealth of experience, and I do love the fact that there’s a connection. He understands the Irish crowds and all that goes with having a Ryder Cup in Ireland. I think it’s going to be very special for him.”
The pair met during The Open at Royal Birkdale earlier this month and, as Harrington puts it: “We felt like we could strike up a good team again.”
It seems like he is still coming to terms with the offer, though.
“It’s something I didn’t expect. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever wear the European Ryder Cup logo again,” he admitted. “So I’m very happy to be part of it. The Ryder Cup has been a special part of my life. Representing Europe has always been one of the highlights of my golfing career, and to be able to do it again in this situation, especially in Ireland, is special.
“You wouldn’t want to miss out with it being in Ireland, so I’m very pleased. It will be a spectacular occasion and one of the great sporting events to be played in the country. The whole of Ireland will be behind it, watching it, enjoying it and living it.”
Harrington is the third of Donald’s five vice-captains to be named so far, joining the Molinari brothers, Edoardo and Francesco, as part of the backroom team for Adare Manor.
It also means one of Thomas Bjorn, Jose Maria Olazabal and Alex Noren – who were all assistants at Bethpage last year – will miss out.
Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup vice-captains
Here’s a full list of who Luke Donald has trusted as his right-hand men in his stint as Ryder Cup captain so far…
RYDER CUPVICE-CAPTAINS2023Thomas Bjorn
Nicolas Colsaerts
Edoardo Molinari
Francesco Molinari
Jose Maria Olazabal2025Thomas Bjorn
Edoardo Molinari
Francesco Molinari
Alex Noren
Jose Maria Olazabal2027Padraig Harrington
Edoardo Molinari
Francesco Molinari
TBC
TBC