The battle to be Team USA’s Ryder Cup captain is back on.
After disappointing defeat on home soil at Bethpage Black last September, attention has turned to the 2027 trip to Adare Manor.
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The US were beaten on home soil in 2025 and are behind in preparations for the next Ryder CupCredit: Getty
Europe’s captain has already been named, with Luke Donald retaining the role he has held for the past two Ryder Cups.
The situation for the US, though, is far more muddied.
Keegan Bradley captained the team in New York last year, and was ‘heartbroken’ in the wake of the 15-13 defeat.
Tiger Woods was among the favourites to take the role moving forward, but ahead of the 2026 Masters, it was confirmed that he would turn down the captaincy.
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The 15-time major champion announced on March 31 that he was stepping away from professional golf to seek treatment and focus on his health following a rollover car accident.
“We commend Tiger for prioritizing his long-term health and deeply respect the courage it takes to make such a personal decision,” the PGA of America later said in a statement.
“Tiger has shared with us that he will not serve as captain of the 2027 US Ryder Cup Team and we support his decision.”
The PGA of America also indicated it would share further updates on the future captaincy ‘when appropriate.’
But with the Ryder Cup 17 months away, Europe already appears far further ahead with their preparations, and Team USA risks falling behind.
Ryder Cup captain takes trip to Adare Manor ahead of 2027 competition
Team Europe captain Donald visited Adare Manor on Tuesday, and touched down in County Limerick, Ireland, for the first time since it was announced he would be returning as captain.
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Donald and vice-captain Molinari have already visited the site of the 2027 Ryder CupCredit: Ryder Cup Europe
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Donald captained Europe to victory in 2023 and 2025Credit: Getty
In a series of social media posts shared by Ryder Cup Europe, the team said Donald was ‘arriving in style’ as he was pictured in a private helicopter approaching the course.
“The work starts here,” another post was captioned, which showed the former World No. 1 standing alongside vice-captain Edoardo Molinari at Adare Manor.
Donald’s visit sets down a marker, and Team USA is already playing catch-up, with echoes of recent Ryder Cup confusion.
Bradley was unexpectedly named captain just 14 months prior to the 2025 competition, and questions over whether or not he would be a playing captain dominated the discourse for months.
Analyst touts former major winner for US Ryder Cup captaincy
The clock is ticking again this time around, and the US need to name their next leader quickly.
According to golf analyst Brandel Chamblee, the role should go to a former Open champion.
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Leonard has been touted for the US Ryder Cup captaincy by ChambleeCredit: Getty
“It should be Justin Leonard,” Chamblee posted on X, after seeing pictures of Donald’s visit to Adare Manor.
Leonard has plenty of Ryder Cup pedigree, and in 1999, made a 45-foot putt for birdie on the 17th hole to complete a remarkable US comeback on the final day.
He also played in 2008 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, where the US won on home soil.
Chamblee initially touted Leonard for the captaincy last month, even when Woods was in contention.
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Leonard provided one of the Ryder Cup’s most iconic moments in 1999Credit: Getty
“The right thing to do is make Justin Leonard the captain,” he told Dan on Golf in March.
“With Justin, you tell me an American player — because we don’t have heroes in the Ryder Cup — that has hit a more memorable shot than Justin Leonard.
“Justin Leonard won the US Amateur, the NCAA, a major championship, The Players Championship.
“He’s handled himself with class, is really thoughtful. He comes closest in all of those metrics — tangibles and intangibles — to being Paul McGinley, to me.
“Europe has been blessed with a lot of great captains and that’s who Justin Leonard is to me.”
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Only time will tell if the PGA of America will listen to Chamblee and turn to Leonard. But with the clock ticking, they would be smart to make an announcement soon.
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