Report: LIV Golf pro backing major winner for sensational Ryder Cup return

England's Richard Bland has claimed Padraig Harrington deserves another crack at leading Europe in the Ryder Cup should Luke Donald turn down leading the blue and gold again.

Donald led Europe to a nail-baiting 15-13 away victory against the United States at Bethpage Black two weeks ago. 

And it is understood the former top-ranked golfer, who has now been involved in five European victories as a player and captain, is being given a few months to decide whether he wants to go for three wins in a row. 

Justin Rose is seen as the front-runner to take over the reins should Donald say 'no' - whilst Francesco Molinari is looked upon favourably by Ryder Cup Europe. 

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Bland told bunkered that Harrington deserves another crack at the whip. In his view, the record 19-9 defeat the two-time Open champion oversaw at Whistling Straits wasn't all his fault. 

"I think coming to Ireland, as strong as America will be – they will always be a strong team – I think we will be huge favourites," Bland told the publication. 

"In front of an Irish crowd, whether it will be an Irish captain, we’ll wait and see. Obviously, depending on what Luke decides to do. but I think [the US] are going to be really up against it.

"The beating we took in Whistling Straits, I think a lot of it was to do with we didn’t have the support there because it was just coming out of COVID. 

"Whether Harrington gets another crack at a captaincy, which in my opinion, I feel he deserves with the player that he’s been over the last sort of 30 years.

"I feel he does deserve another crack at it. I feel it was a little bit hard for him going there with no support."

Aside from Rose, Molinari and Harrington - there are plenty of other candidates. 

Though their ties to LIV Golf may have an impact. 

Masters champion Rory McIlroy told reporters last year that he doesn't have any issues with European legends Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell in the top job. 

But he thinks they are "too far removed" to be considered. 

McDowell has made it clear he would love to be involved in the Ryder Cup again. 

Bland told bunkered that had McDowell not joined LIV then he was very likely going to be the skipper anyway. 

"A few things have got to change," he said. "But if you take the LIV thing away, I think that Graeme was probably going to do this one.

"That was probably where he had his eye on as soon as it was announced, however many years ago that was. And I'm sure he would love to be captain.

"But I'm sure you would want someone like that involved in some way, whether he could be a vice-captain or whatever. I've got to know Graeme a little bit over the last two or three years. You can see the passion that he has for it.

"You need people like that in and around the team, especially in Ireland. But a lot depends on what Luke wants. If Luke wants it again, I don't think they’re going to turn him down."

For his part, McDowell previously said that he has something to "give back" to Europe. 

He previously said that he would turn up to the Ryder Cup just to make the coffees for Team Europe. 

"That's how much it means to me and how much I want to be there in a supporting role for Team Europe," he said. 

"It goes without saying as we look towards Adare Manor in two years' time I would do anything to be in that European team room, to be part of that team, to put that team Europe shirt on one more time, to have the badge on my chest, to cheer the guys on and help Europe win another Ryder Cup. I hope to be there."