Luke Donald takes to social media with Ryder Cup announcement

Luke Donald has taken to social media to thank his friend and opposing Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley on a great battle at Bethpage.

Luke Donald
Luke Donald

Luke Donald has taken to social media to pile praise on his rival captain and friend Keegan Bradley following their great battle at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage last week.

Donald, 47, became the first captain since Tony Jacklin in 1989 to win two Ryder Cups on the bounce last Sunday as Europe held on for a 15-13 victory in New York. 

Europe took a commanding seven-point lead into the final day singles 11.5-4.5, but they were forced to pull out all the stops down the closing stretch as Bradley's stars and stripes turned the screw for the first time all week. 

After getting to within three points at one stage, it was left to Ireland's Shane Lowry to halt their charge.

Lowry sealed the deal with a clutch birdie from seven feet on the 18th to tie his match with Russell Henley and pick up the required 14th point for the visitors to retain the Ryder Cup

Robert MacIntyre and Tyrrell Hatton then also tied their matches to ensure Europe ran out two-point victors.

The win also marked the first time an away side had won the Ryder Cup since Medinah in 2012

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Five days after recording Europe's fifth away win at the Ryder Cup, Donald took to social media to commend his opposing captain and good friend Bradley on a great match. 

Scroll down for Donald's social post...

Bradley and Donald at the Ryder Cup
Bradley and Donald at the Ryder Cup

Donald wrote on Instagram:

"I want to take a moment to thank my friend and opposing Captain, Keegan. As I said in my opening ceremony speech last week, I have really valued our friendship over the years and that bond will last well beyond Ryder Cup week.

"Our Captaincy journey and the contest between our two teams will give us memories that we will continue to look back on together for many years to come.

"I watched Keegan closely last week and in the build-up. His passion and love for this event, and for his country, is undeniable. The Sunday charge his players made showed just how much they wanted to win for him, and that says everything about the respect they have for their Captain.

"Unless you’ve walked into that arena, it’s impossible to fully understand the pressures that come with being Captain.

"He has my full respect, as well as my friendship."

Donald now has some time to contemplate whether he wants to remain captain of the European team at Adare Manor in Ireland in September 2027.

He is currently priced at evens with the bookmakers, ahead of Francesco Molinari, Padraig Harrington, Edoardo Molinari and Justin Rose who are all priced at 5/1. 

Tommy Fleetwood told reporters at this week's Dunhill Links at St Andrews that "the ball is probably in Luke's court" as to whether he fancies another crack at the captaincy. 

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Should Donald assume the role of 2027 captain then he will have an opportunity to become the first ever captain in Ryder Cup history, dating all the way back to the very start in 1927, to win three Ryder Cups in a row. 

Donald won his first Ryder Cup as captain with a five-point victory at Marco Simone in 2023. 

Adare Manor will also mark a landmark 100th anniversary of the Ryder Cup. 

Bradley is also the current favourite to remain on as 2027 Team USA captain, albeit his odds are a bit greater at 2/1

Other names in the mix to captain the 2027 US team include Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Stewart Cink and Tiger Woods.

GolfMagic has predicted what we think the teams and captains will be for 2027. 

Will Donald and Bradley both remain on as Ryder Cup captains?

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