Luke Donald names latest vice-captain for 2027 Ryder Cup

Padraig Harrington has been named as Europe's third vice-captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland. 

Harrington returns to a leadership role for the first time since captaining Europe at the 2021 contest, where his team suffered a heavy defeat to the United States at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

The 54-year-old joins English captain's Luke Donald's backroom team for next September's showdown alongside Francesco and Edoardo Molinari. 

Edoardo is Donald's stats guru and has played a pivotal role in Europe's victories in Italy and New York, while Francesco had been widely expected to take over as captain until the former world number one confirmed he would lead the team for a third term.

"Luke and I arranged to meet up at The Open and chatted about it, and we felt we could strike up a good team again," said Harrington.

"Obviously, he was my vice captain (in 2021), and we have worked together as vice captains in the past. And certainly, I feel I've something to give.

"Luke has a very strong team around him already and he felt that we would work well together."

Harrington added: "It's something I didn't expect. I honestly didn't think I'd ever wear the European Ryder Cup logo again. 

"So I'm very happy to be part of it. The Ryder Cup has been a special part of my life. 

"Representing Europe has always been one of the highlights of my golfing career, and to be able to do it again in this situation, especially in Ireland, is special.

"You wouldn't want to miss out with it being in Ireland, so I'm very pleased.

"I think it will be a spectacular occasion and one of the great sporting events to be played in the country. 

"The whole of Ireland will be behind it, watching it, enjoying it and living it.

"The fans are going to be fantastic, and I think the atmosphere will be second to none."

Harrington, a three-time major champion, is one of Ireland's most decorated and popular players.

He represented Europe six times in total as a player - including being part of four triumphs - and was previously a vice captain on three occasions before becoming captain for the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

Donald said: "Padraig is someone I thought about quite a lot, especially with it being in Adare. 

"I've been around Padraig in many Ryder Cup team rooms, as a player, as a vice captain to his captaincy, and he's been a vice captain before in the past as well. 

"So he brings a wealth of experience, and I do love the fact that there's a connection. 

"He understands the Irish crowds and all that goes with having a Ryder Cup in Ireland. I think it's going to be very special for him.

"He's loved in Ireland with what he's achieved in the game, and that will only bring more energy to our team. 

"We'll get the fans even more behind us, and you know I think that can only be a good thing. 

"I'm very excited to have his expertise. He's a deep thinker. 

"I think he's quite different to a Francesco or even an Edoardo. He's a little bit more extroverted. He's going to challenge me.

"He's going to think about things in different ways and give me things to think about. 

"I think that's a great balance between the Molinari brothers and Padraig."

Harrington made his Ryder Cup debut at The Country Club in Brookline in 1999 and was ever-present for the next five editions, helping Europe to victory in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010. 

He contributed a total of 10½ points to the European team during that period.

He was named as vice captain for the first time by fellow Dubliner Paul McGinley for the victory at Gleneagles in 2014, a role he returned to in 2016 at Hazeltine National under Darren Clarke and in 2018 for the victory at Le Golf National in Paris under Denmark’s Thomas Bjørn.

Harrington then led Team Europe at the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, which was postponed by 12 months due to the Covid pandemic in 2020.

The former World Golf Hall of Fame member secured his first major in The 2007 Open at Carnoustie, defeating Sergio Garcia in a play-off. 

He successfully defended the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale the following year and became the first European to win back-to-back Majors when he added the 2008 US PGA Championship at Oakland Hills a few weeks later.

He has won 44 times across the world, including 15 times on the DP World Tour, finishing as the number one player in 2006.