Luke Donald steps up Ryder Cup plans as Eugenio Chacarra controversy adds intriguing twist

Luke Donald is already making moves for what could become the most historic Ryder Cup of his captaincy.

With exactly a year to go until Europe and the United States tee it up at Adare Manor, captain Donald is preparing to take a group of potential European team members to the 2027 venue next week.

The timing could hardly be more appropriate.

The European Ryder Cup qualification race officially got under way at last week's Husqvarna British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo, meaning the battle to make Donald's team is already well and truly on.

Donald on verge of more history

Now, with the first points on the board, a group of potential contenders will get the chance to see the course where they could potentially represent Europe in September 2027.

Around 16 players including Ryder Cup heroes Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood are expected to join Donald at Adare Manor following this week's Amgen Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links at Doonbeg.

The trip will give a number of Europe's leading contenders an early look at the Ryder Cup venue, while also allowing Donald to start building the relationships that he believes will be crucial when the pressure eventually arrives.

And there is plenty at stake for Donald since no captain has ever won three Ryder Cups in a row.

The former World No.1 has already led Europe to successive victories at Marco Simone in 2023 and Bethpage in 2025, with his side winning by five points in Rome before securing a two-point success in New York.

Now the focus switches to Ireland.

The group heading to Adare Manor will subsequently travel on to Wentworth for the BMW PGA Championship, which starts Thursday, but it is a quick visit to the 2027 venue that could prove particularly valuable.

Donald, 48, knows there is still an enormous amount of golf to be played before his final team is decided.

But the process of identifying his players has already begun.

Controversy ahead of scouting trip

Several potential Ryder Cup rookies are expected to be involved in Donald's early scouting trip, including Alex Fitzpatrick and Kristoffer Reitan, while two Spaniards have also been mentioned by Donald.

Eugenio Chacarra has arguably done more than enough this season to attract the captain's attention.

The Spaniard has won twice on the DP World Tour and produced several other impressive finishes, putting himself firmly into the conversation as Europe looks towards the next generation.

Then there is Angel Ayora.

The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the more exciting young players on the DP World Tour and is another name Donald is understood to be monitoring closely.

Neither Chacarra nor Ayora has played in a Ryder Cup before, but both now have the opportunity to make an impression with the qualification race under way.

Interestingly, their potential involvement comes just days after an ugly clash (watch below) involving the two Spaniards' respective camps.

Chacarra was involved in a confrontation with Ayora's caddie, Adolfo Juan Luna, following last week's Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

Telegraph Sport reported that a skirmish broke out on the practice putting green after the final round between Chacarra and Luna, who previously caddied for Chacarra but now works with Ayora.

According to the report, the pair have had a longstanding disagreement, with sources claiming bad blood developed over a dispute relating to money.

Luna caddied for Chacarra when he won LIV Golf Bangkok in 2022. 

GolfMagic understands from a witness who saw the ugly scenes play out on the putting green at Crans-sur-Sierre that Chacarra's father was allegedly struck on the lip, which caused Chacarra's angry reaction. 

The DP World Tour is said to be investigating the incident, meaning it is something Donald will undoubtedly want resolved as he brings potential members of his team together.

The Ryder Cup qualification picture is also taking shape in a slightly different way on the other side of the Atlantic.

Jim Furyk's United States is changing its Ryder Cup qualification process for the third consecutive contest, with the American points race for Adare Manor set to begin at the start of the 2027 PGA Tour season.

That gives both captains different challenges as they begin the long process of assembling their teams.

For Donald, though, the immediate priority is Europe.

The qualification race has started, potential players are already being assessed and next week's trip will give some of those contenders their first chance to experience Adare Manor as prospective Ryder Cup players.

There is still a long road ahead.

But exactly 12 months before the first ball is due to be struck, Donald's bid to become the first captain to win three consecutive Ryder Cups is already gathering momentum.