Matt Fitzpatrick reveals unsung hero on 2025 European Ryder Cup team

Matt Fitzpatrick believes one of Luke Donald's vice-captains, Edoardo Molinari, is very much the unsung hero on the European Ryder Cup team.

Molinari, 44, has acted as one of Donald's vice-captains for both of his victories at Marco Simone in 2023 and again at Bethpage on Sunday. 

The Italian is a stats guru who leaves no stone unturned when it comes to finding the best foursomes and fourballs partnerships for Europe.

Only Fitzpatrick thinks Molinari offers the team so much more than just a spreadsheet. 

Molinari's calculations proved pivotal for Donald as Europe surged into a seven-point lead after the foursomes and fourballs on Friday and Saturday.

Things did not go quite to plan in the Sunday singles but Europe still managed to hold on for a deserved two-point victory 15-13.

With it, Europe became the first away team since 2012 to win the Ryder Cup. 

It also saw Donald become the first captain since Tony Jacklin in 1989 to win two straight Ryder Cups. 

Molinari, who played and won on his sole European Ryder Cup team appearance at Celtic Manor in 2010, acted as one of Donald's five vice-captains last week in New York. 

He was joined by his brother Francesco Molinari, Alex Noren, Thomas Bjorn and Jose Maria Olazabal.

Fitzpatrick considers Molinari deserves huge credit for his tireless work in helping the European team reach their potential in the Ryder Cup.

Not once, but twice now. 

"i know Luke already said it in his press conference but I think Edoardo is very, not underappreciated, but I guess -- well, no, I think underappreciated is the right thing," said Fitzpatrick, who performed admirably in New York with 2.5 points from four sessions.

"He is very appreciated by Team Europe, but I think in the outside world, it's very much, oh, he's just the stats guy or whatever.

"But to me, Edoardo is No. 1 in the business by a complete mile. 

"How he's helped Luke and the vice captains and how he's shaped the team, pairings, qualification, has been outstanding in my opinion. 

"I think there's a lot of credit that needs to go to Edoardo as well."

Fitzpatrick was speaking ahead of this week's Dunhill Links at The Home of Golf where he is playing alongside his father Russell. 

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As for whether Donald might continue in the hotseat in two years time at Adare Manor in Ireland, Fitzpatrick is on the fence. 

"I'm sure there's plenty of people that are good enough to do the job.

"Obviously Luke, like Rahmbo said, he's created a high bar for the next guys that come in." 

Fleetwood was also asked about the potential for Donald to keep the captain's armband.

The 2025 Ryder Cup top points scorer (4 points) thinks "the ball is probably in Luke's court."

Tyrrell Hatton, who is also competing in the Dunhill Links this week, spoke glowingly of the work Donald has done over the past few years.

But he's not prepared to yet comment on who could assume the 2027 captaincy. 

"Luke's done an incredible job the last three and half years," said Hatton, who is a record three-time winner at the Dunhill Links and also this week's defending champion.

"The amount of time, dedication that him and -- to have him put into that was amazing. 

"Yeah, they have got a lot of stats to digest, but in terms of Ryder Cup captain for Ireland, I don't know. 

"It will be interesting to see who it is but I don't want to sort of make comment on any of that other than just saying I think we all know what an amazing job Luke's done."

Should Donald opt to take the reins on Team Europe again, he will set up a chance to become the only captain to win three Ryder Cups in a row. 

That is not just a record between Europe and the United States, but a record going all the way back to the very start of the Ryder Cup in 1929. 

Who do you reckon will become 2027 European Ryder Cup captain?

Will it be Donald again or someone new?

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