Luke Donald told by former Ryder Cup hero: I'm a little surprised you've done so well

Former European Ryder Cup hero Jamie Donaldson says he has been "a little bit surprised" by how well Luke Donald has done as captain. 

Donald masterminded Europe's nail-biting 15-13 away victory over Keegan Bradley's United States at Bethpage Black last September. 

It followed a dominant victory on home soil at Marco Simone in Italy two years prior.

And it made him only the second European skipper since Tony Jacklin to lead his side to home and away wins. 

Had LIV Golf not entered the picture then it isn't unreasonable to suggest Donald may have never been given the chance. 

He took over from Henrik Stenson after the Swede was stripped of the captaincy. 

And it is generally assumed Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and even Graeme McDowell were above him in the pecking order. 

"It's maybe surprised me a little bit how well he has done, but the fella is just so calm," Donaldson told SportsBoom.com.

"And people that have that calmness about them tend to make good captains. 

"I remember watching him in that first one in Rome and being very impressed.

"I saw him and I saw Zach Johnson, and I just thought, we're one-up here. 

"Luke's interviews were just so calm and collected, like he knew exactly what he was doing."

Donaldson said he wouldn't go as far as saying Johnson looked like a rabbit in headlights. 

"He's a major winner, he's a great player," added Donaldson. 

"He's a double winner – and he won the two best ones (Masters and Open), but it just didn't look as calm and as well thought out. 

"Luke just looked like he had every angle covered."

Donaldson secured the crucial point to take Europe to a comfortable victory on home soil at Gleneagles in 2014. 

He contributed three points from his four matches but sat out the opening session. 

"He [Paul McGinley] left me out of the opening matches and I was headless, because I was playing so well before the event and in praise," Donaldson said. 

"But he just calmly explained it and told me to get ready for the afternoon. And I was. 

"It's like a football manager's role, you’ve got to try to keep your squad happy, and everyone who is on a Ryder Cup team is a good player who is used to deciding things for themselves. 

"In the Ryder Cup you're suddenly part of a team."

Donald decision expected soon

Before the 2025 matches were played it was widely expected that Luke Donald was going to hand over the reins regardless of the result. 

But now he has a chance of breaking more records if he continues in the role. 

Should Donald stay on, then he would have the opportunity to become the first Ryder Cup captain to oversee three wins in a row. 

Bernard Gallacher captained three in a row in the early 1990s, but didn't win all three. 

If Donald were captain in 2027 and they win again, he'd be the first to do it with three consecutive wins for Europe

It is understood Donald will make his decision before the 2026 Masters. 

Should Donald say 'no', then former Open champion Francesco Molinari may get the green light. 

Molinari's brother Edoardo is Europe's vital stats guru, but he has ruled out leading the team. 

Given the 2027 Ryder Cup matches will be played in Ireland, then there is a chance Padraig Harrington may be approached again. 

Justin Rose has also distanced himself from the position, insisting he wants to represent Europe again as a player in two years' time.