Luke Donald will sit down with the Ryder Cup Europe chief executive Guy Kinnings this week to discuss the prospect of accepting a third term as captain.
The former world No1, who led Europe to victory in Rome in 2023 and at Bethpage Black in New York last year, has received widespread backing from victorious players including Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood, but said he has not yet made a decision about taking the helm in Ireland next year.
He is weighing up the extra time commitments that a home campaign requires, allied to the fact that he lives in Florida, against the lure of making history. “It’s high stress at times and it’s hard work but it’s something I love,” Donald, 48, said at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. “I think you are chasing some history too. Nobody’s won three times in a row. A bigger legacy is up for grabs.”
Another factor that might tempt him is the possibility of going head-to-head with Tiger Woods, long thought to be in line for the USA job at Adare Manor, which is owned by his friend JP McManus. “Tiger’s had my number pretty much 99 per cent of my career, although I did alright against him in Ryder Cups,” Donald said. “He still moves the needle more than probably anyone.”
The possibility of a captaincy duel with Woods could prove enticing to Donald
DAVID CANNON/GETTY IMAGES
One school of thought within the European camp is that future captains will do two campaigns and should start with a home Ryder Cup before the far more taxing challenge of winning away. Francesco Molinari would be the likely choice if Donald is not tempted. Justin Rose, only three years younger than Donald at 45, has already let it be known that he wants to focus on playing.
“I just need to sit down and see if it might work or might not,” Donald said. “What does it look like and how many times do they need me? It’s been a while since I did the Rome one. My oldest daughter is turning 16 next month and I have to weigh up stuff like that, but I’m happy to sit down with Guy and open the conversation.
“A few of the players have expressed that they’d love me to come back and it’s nice to get some backing. I think that’s very important.”
One thing that is clear is that the sour aftertaste of the abusive American crowds at Bethpage in September will not dissuade him. “We were expecting that and we were ready for that, but Rome certainly wasn’t like that and I don’t expect Ireland to be like that either. Hopefully, we can get it back on track because it’s not what golf should be like.”
Lowry, who is hoping to bounce back this week after squandering a golden opportunity at the Dubai Invitational on Sunday, reiterated his support. “It’s Luke’s if he wants it. Does he want it? I’m not so sure,” the Irishman said. “It’s a big undertaking for him, but there’s a huge carrot dangling there to go three in a row. In the last two Ryder Cups the continuity of it all was amazing and it obviously will be good to have that for Adare Manor too.”
Lowry wasted a golden chance of victory at last week’s Dubai Invitational
WALEED ZEIN/ANADOLU VIA GETTY IMAGES
With the past fortnight dominated by talk of routes back to the main tours for LIV Golf players, it is interesting to see Tyrrell Hatton, Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed in Dubai this week. Fleetwood is also here and is one DP World Tour member who has no issue with LIV men being in fields while still subject to fines for playing in clashing events.
“The rules are the guys can play on the DP World Tour if they are a member or if they can get an invite,” Fleetwood said. “For sure, there’s players that play on the LIV tour that add to tournaments. Personally, it’s great to see some of the guys like Dustin. I’m close with him and a few of the guys.
“I was never one of those that had any bad blood. I think another option to play golf came up, and some guys felt like they wanted to play over there. They wanted to do something different. I think that’s absolutely fine.”
LIV has failed to land any of golf’s star names this close season and Fleetwood dismissed social media gossip that he had been targeted. “They haven’t sniffed around me in this post-season,” the 35-year-old said. “I think some very good golfers have gone over to LIV [but] it’s probably going to cost a lot of money to get some big-name players.
“I don’t know what their strategy will be, or who they will be looking at, or how they want to go about it, but they don’t talk to me. Personally, I’m playing where I feel like I can still chase my dreams, and I’m in the best place to be the best golfer I can be. Other people may feel differently.”
Fleetwood enjoyed a hugely successful 2025 but wants to improve his efforts at the majors this year
ROSS KINNAIRD/GETTY IMAGES
Fleetwood is revelling in the afterglow of a stellar 2025, complete with the FedEx Cup, maiden win in the US and starring role at the Ryder Cup, but the world No3 concedes that it was not all bliss.
“As good as my year was, my major performances were not what I would want,” he said.”I didn’t feel like I contended in any and I didn’t play how I wanted to in those events. Maybe I can do something different preparation-wise or play better to see if I can get to Sunday in contention a bit more.”