European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has announced another co-captain of his squad for next year’s event.
Donald is hunting for a three-peat at Adare Manor in the Republic of Ireland after he and the European team beat the United States on their home course in September 2025, where Rory McIlroy faced a whirlwind of verbal harassment from fans beyond the ropes.
The 48-year-old officially announced that Francesco Molinari will be his second co-captain for the biennial event after he announced his brother, Edoardo, will also work behind closed doors with the squad. The trio was together at Marco Simone in 2023 and at Bethpage Black last year.
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“I was very pleased when Luke asked me,” Molinari said. “I’ve had two great experiences in Rome and New York, two very different ones, but both of them memorable, and some of the best weeks of my life.
“So, it was an easy, straightforward decision. I was honored and pleased when Luke phoned me. We’ve been together as a team for a while now, so it was a very easy conversation to have.
“Anytime you get asked to be involved, there’s only one possible answer, and I can’t wait to be there again.”
Luke Donald will hope for his third win in a row at Adare Manor -Credit:Getty Images
The announcement comes following Jim Furyk’s announcement that Stewart Cink and Justin Leonard are the vice captains for the United States’ Ryder Cup team across the pond.
Furyk appeared in nine Ryder Cups as a player, helping the United States win twice, and before he was chosen as the captain at Adare Manor in 2027, Tiger Woods was tabbed for the job.
“Both have some experience in away Ryder Cups, away Presidents Cups,” said Furyk.
“Stuart has a lot of experience. Five Ryder Cups himself. He was on my staff in Montreal. Justin, dear friend forever.
“But I’ll tell you what, the most organized, meticulous person I know. And he was my right-hand man in Montreal. So when I got this job, the first guy I thought of was Justin Leonard.”
Keegan Bradley was unable to get the job done at Bethpage last year, as the 40-year-old said the loss was one of the darkest points of his life, and Furyk explained what attracted him to captain the United States’ Ryder Cup team, despite the arduous nature of the role.
“I think it’s really the players,” the 55-year-old shared when asked why he’s opting to return.
“I mean, I’ve gotten to know this generation really well through Presidents Cups, Ryder Cups.”