Report: Luke Donald now "less than 50-50" to lead Europe at 2027 Ryder Cup

Luke Donald is reportedly "less than 50-50" to lead Europe at the 2027 Ryder Cup, according to a report. 

Donald sealed his place as one of Europe's greatest captains after masterminding a tense 15-13 away victory over the United States at Bethpage Black in September. 

The tenser-than-expected triumph meant the 47-year-old Englishman became only the second European captain - after Tony Jacklin in 1985 and 1987 - to win back-to-back Ryder Cups. 

Related:

• Top points scorers at Bethpage

All 12 members of the European team chanted "Two more years!" as Donald clutched the trophy in New York. 

Ryder Cup Europe officials have stayed mum on the subject, but it widely presumed that Donald has been given a period of time to decide whether he wants to keep the job and lead the team at Adare Manor in Ireland. 

But they want him to make up his mind before next April. 

Telegraph Sport have reported that insiders believe Donald is now "less than 50-50" to continue.  

The paper report that the hostile encounter at Bethpage Black took it out of Donald, with several members of the European team on the receiving end of a barrage of verbal abuse at Bethpage. 

Donald took a diplomatic view of the abuse in the immediate aftermath of the contest, saying: "The behaviour needs to be talked about and needs to be addressed. 

"I don't know how you rein it in, the odd people who shout. It is a tricky one."

The paper also report that Justin Rose has now pulled his name out of the hat. 

Rose is now 45 years old and, earlier this year, briefly returned to the top 10 in the OWGR for the first time in five years. 

He is arguably playing the best golf his career. 

And he will harbour aspirations to make his eighth Ryder Cup appearance in 2027 and will be keen to avoid the same headache Keegan Bradley faced in the build-up to the 45th edition of the matches. 

Candidates to replace Luke Donald

Edoardo 'Dodo' Molinari served as Europe's stats guru in 2023 and 2025. 

The Italian, the younger brother of former Open winner Francesco, is a key reason for Europe's success story. 

He even accurately predicted the score at Bethpage. 

Hired by Henrik Stenson before the Swede was stripped of the captaincy, Edoardo crunches the numbers to determine the best possible pairings and gives Donald and his vice-captains data in real time. 

Edoardo has already ruled himself out of leading the team, saying he doesn't believe he has the CV or charisma to do the job. 

Francesco is now seen as the frontrunner and could share the captaincy with his brother. 

Padraig Harrington has prior captaincy experience. He was at the helm when Europe were destroyed 19-9 at Whistling Straits in 2021. 

But his passion for the Ryder Cup is well-documented and he would likely relish the opportunity to lead Europe again in Ireland. 

Paul McGinley is highly regarded among Ryder Cup Europe. Rory McIlroy described McGinley as one of the best captains he has played for after they won at Gleneagles in 2014. 

McGinley is currently a strategic advisor to Europe and has seen first-hand Donald's attention to detail. 

Elsewhere, there is a plethora of candidates that now ply their trade in the LIV Golf League. 

Graeme McDowell is desperate to be considered, while Sergio Garcia will be hoping bygones will be bygones by the time the Ryder Cup heads to Spain in 2031. 

Henrik Stenson recently claimed he thinks the opportunity has passed him by. 

Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood were once both considered dead certainties to be named captains. 

But now it appears that both are highly unlikely to captain Europe until their issues with the DP World Tour are resolved.