"I have to think things through a little more" — Donald not ruling out Ryder Cup hat trick bid at Adare Manor

Team Europe Captain Luke Donald celebrates with Shane Lowry after the 2025 Ryder Cup on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park on Sunday, September 28, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Michael Reaves/PGA of America)

Luke Donald hasn't ruled out returning as Ryder Cup captain and Francesco Molinari is hoping the Englishman stays on to help Europe chase a hat-trick of wins at Adare Manor in 2027.

With Justin Rose believed to have taken himself out of the running, Molinari is considered one of the front-runners to take the reins in Co. Limerick, should Donald step away.

Everything depends on Donald, who has not yet definitively ruled out becoming the first man to captain Europe three times running since Bernard Gallacher in 1995.

"Everyone who has been involved the last four years would love to see him come back,” former Open champion and Ryder Cup hero Molinari (43) told Golfweek during last week's World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico.

"When he does stop, it will leave a big gap, a big void to fill. It won't be easy. It's in everyone's interest for him to come back one more time."

Molinari's brother Edoardo (44)—the statistical mastermind for Europe for the last two matches—dismissed his own chances of being offered the job.

"To be honest with you, I don't think I will ever be a Ryder Cup captain," he told Golfweek in an email. "There are other people that are much more worthy than I am and with a better CV.

"I still hope Luke is going to do it again. Luke was considered by many the best captain Europe ever had and I agree with that. Francesco will be similar to Luke as a character, as he is a calm and collected person and he gets along with a lot of players."

Donald was offered the job after Henrik Stenson was stripped of the captaincy in July 2022, four months after being appointed, when it became clear he was going to sign with LIV Golf.

With the likes of Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter also considered to be out of the running following their move to the Saudi-funded league, Donald remains the first choice.

He turns 48 next month and admits he can still do the job as he doesn't qualify for the Champions Tour until December 2027.

"After this week, I have a little downtime and will chat with some people and see where we are," Donald told Adam Schupak in Mexico, where he explained why he might not want to continue.

"I feel like I have climbed the mountain, so to speak, and I certainly have nothing left to prove. I love what it represents and am thankful for the opportunity to do it.

"If I do it again I will probably put a hard cut that I won't do it a fourth time. I would like to play on the Champions Tour in two years.

"Timing-wise, it does work. I have to talk to my family and whether it takes too much time away from them.
"That's a possible reason and whether someone else is better suited for the job. It wouldn't be from a fear of losing. If you approach anything in golf like that you're never going to get too far ahead.

"I'm a big believer in taking opportunities when they come your way and I've taken these last two by the scruff of its neck and done very well.

"I have to think things through a little more. That's kind of my personality."

Rose would be 47 in September 2027, but after finishing runner-up to Rory McIlroy after a playoff for the Masters, Donald understands why he might like to wait until 2029 or beyond and chase an eighth Ryder Cup cap in Adare.

"I understand that viewpoint if that's what he is thinking," Donald said. "Statistically, he was our best player at Bethpage. Why wouldn't he think he can't keep doing that? It's very hard to be a captain and keep playing."

As for Francesco Molinari, who will play more on the DP World Tour next year, he's waiting to see what Donald decides.

"I feel like it's out of my hands, to be honest," he said in Mexico. "I'd be honoured to do it. I'm not going to waste too much energy thinking about it.

"If I get asked, I'd love to do it. First, we have to see what Luke wants to do. We'd all love to see him come back. Let's see what he does."