Ryder Cup Europe captain Luke Donald Ryder Cup Francesco Molinari Tommy Fleetwood golf news
Dive into the latest Ryder Cup buzz as Tommy Fleetwood suggests Francesco Molinari to lead Europe in 2027 if Luke Donald declines. Explore Fleetwood’s thoughts on Donald’s future, Justin Rose’s potential, and Molinari’s qualifications from their 2018 partnership.
Plus, Fleetwood hits a career-high fifth in the OWGR after Europe’s victory at Bethpage Black. Hear from Matthew Fitzpatrick on Molinari’s analytical style and Donald’s hint at continuing.
Key topics: Ryder Cup captain succession, Tommy Fleetwood ranking, Francesco Molinari golf career, Luke Donald decision, European golf team strategy.
Watch for insights on the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor and Fleetwood’s upcoming tournaments like the DP World Tour India Championship.
Tommy Fleetwood has boldly suggested that if Luke Donald decides not to continue as Europe’s Rder Cup captain, former Open champion Francesco Molinari would be the ideal choice to take the helm in 2027. But here’s where it gets controversial. Donald led Europe to a thrilling 15-13 victory over the United States at Beth Page Black just two weeks ago. Yet he had already indicated he planned to step down regardless of the outcome. Now voices from the golf world are urging the former world number one to reconsider and keep the captaincy for another term. Looking ahead, Justin Rose is widely expected to lead Europe at some point in the future. But there’s a catch. Few won a repeat of the infamous Keegan Bradley situation from the 45th RDER Cup. Before that event, there was intense speculation about whether Bradley would choose himself for the American team, stirring much debate and tension. Meanwhile, Rose, now 45, is arguably in the peak form of his career, with many expecting the 2013 US Open champion to make his eighth Ryder Cup appearance in just two years when the tournament returns to Ireland at a Dare Manner. Fleetwood emphasized that the decision about Donald’s future captaincy rests with the man himself, praising his achievements and leadership. He also light-heartedly joked that Rose might still be playing the Ryder Cup when he’s 102. “We might have to wait a while before Justin becomes captain,” he quipped. Fleetwood’s admiration for Molinari runs deep. They formed an extraordinary partnership during the 2018 Rder Cup at Legolf National near Paris, winning all four matches they played together. Fleetwood sees Francesco as the perfect candidate to ensure continuity, especially since Francesco’s older brother, Edardo, plays a crucial behindthe-scenes role as a statistics expert. Adding to the chorus, Matthew Fitzpatrick supports Molinari for the job, noting he’s quite like Luke. Quiet, reserved, and very analytical. He’s definitely a strong option. Just a week after helping Europe secure RDER Cup glory, Fleetwood competed in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Despite struggling with preparation, indulging in takeaways and drinks, he finished 21st while Robert McIntyre clinched the title. This performance was enough to propel Fleetwood to a career best fifth place in the official World Golf Ranking Ogr. Fleetwood’s 2025 season has been impressive, marked by finally capturing his first PGA Tour win at the season ending tournament in East Lake after numerous close calls. At 34, he plans to compete at least three more times on the DP World Tour before taking a well-earned Christmas break. Upcoming events on his calendar include the inaugural DP World Tour India Championship, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, and the DP World Tour Championship. Meanwhile, speculation continues that RDER Cup Europe has given Luke Donald several months to decide if he wishes to captain the squad again in 2027. Expert Andy Roberts argues that the temptation of a third Rder Cup triumph will likely be too hard for Donald to resist. The Englishman recently shared on social media that his stress levels have finally eased, which might signal that he’s warming up to the idea of another stint in charge. Here’s the part most people miss. Could the pressure to maintain Europe’s dominance lead to a contentious decision about leadership? Will Donald take the reigns again? or will Molinari’s steady hand usher in a new era? What do you think? Should Donald continue or is it time for fresh leadership? Let us know your view in the comments below.
