Luke Donald is about to hold crunch talks about the European Ryder Cup captaincy. But if the Englishman says no, one of his assistants at Bethpage is ready to step up…
Part of Francesco Molinari’s role at last year’s Ryder Cup was not in the job description.
“I’m not confrontational at all,” he tells TG, reflecting on the crowd mayhem at Bethpage. “So going up to drunk people and telling them to stop is not something I particularly enjoy doing. But once you’re there you try to help the team and you do it.”
As one of Luke Donald’s trusted vice-captains for Team Europe, Molinari was forced to adapt as part-motivator, part peacemaker during that fraught week on Long Island.
He spent much of the weekend smiling at the blue on the board with his designated buggy driver, soccer legend Gianfranco Zola, but the understated Italian also had to cool tensions both inside and outside the ropes as he dealt with caddie bust-ups and a venomous New York crowd.
“It’s weird because we won but I have a lot of not-so-nice memories, being out on the course, getting abused and just trying to do something to help the guys,” he says.
Fortunately for Molinari, his abiding memories are within the sanctity of the European team room.
“The general bond,” he smiles. “This generation was pretty much the same team that we had in Rome and it’s definitely the best team as a group that I’ve seen in my 15 years around the Ryder Cup since getting involved as a player in 2010. So that’s the general feeling.”
Whether that continuity remains with Donald in charge for another two years remains to be seen.
If Donald decides the responsibility for a third time is too demanding, Molinari is widely viewed as the next in line for 2027. Justin Rose wants to play at Adare Manor and it seems unlikely that one of the legends who departed for LIV Golf will fill Donald’s shoes – despite Jon Rahm’s efforts.
So would Molinari be interested in taking over?
“Obviously it’s something you don’t really turn down if you get asked,” he says. “Going back to what I was telling you about the group, I think we’re all waiting and hoping for a positive answer from Luke.
“At the moment, I think we’ll just keep it at that and hopefully he commits to another two years. I can see for him six years would be a lot of time, but hopefully he can do two more.
“Sometimes it comes up but nothing formal. I think it’s something out of my hands. There’s so much going on now with LIV. I think it would be great if it comes. If not, at the moment I’ve been involved in three as a player, two as a vice-captain and won all five.
“I’d be super happy to do more. You need to find a balance between renovating and keeping some of the core team. I’d be happy to be involved again in as many as possible in any capacity but I’m not taking anything for granted.”
Molinari, who is competing at this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic and back working with revered coach Dennis Pugh, is certainly popular in the European team room.
But the fate of the captaincy will surely rest with Donald.
The Englishman told the Mirror here at the Emirates Club that he will hold imminent talks with the DP World Tour’s chief executive Guy Kinnings about the position.
“I will sit down for a chat with Guy this week just to see where I am,” said Donald. “I kind of know what the job entails but just to see what they are looking for. Just a chat. I have got a couple more months to decide. Usually they announce it sometime in March.
“It is a little bit more work at home. You have more control and so it is more work. And I have to travel because I live in the US. Little things like that. Seeing how much they need – all that stuff. If I do it again, it will be full-steam ahead and put everything I can into it. Just got to weigh up the pros and cons really.”
Bethpage hero Shane Lowry would certainly celebrate Donald going for the ‘threepeat’.
“I think it’s Luke’s if he wants it,” the Irishman told reporters here on Tuesday. “Does he want it or not? I’m not sure. It’s a big undertaking for him, and he’s obviously been very successful. But there’s a huge carrot dangling there to go three in a row and be the only person to do that.
“I’d certainly love to see him as a captain.”
Another consistent from Donald’s time at the helm is Tyrrell Hatton – and he’s is also throwing his weight behind his compatriot’s bid to make history.
“Luke’s been amazing,” he told TG at a recent LIV Golf season preview event in Florida. “I don’t think anyone can argue with the fact that if he wants to do it again, then that’s his choice. But, equally, if he doesn’t want to, he’s earned that right to decide. I think we’re all interested to see which it’s going to be.”