Tommy Fleetwood names the man to lead Europe's 2027 Ryder Cup team if Donald says no
Tommy Fleetwood has thrown his weight behind Francesco Molinari leading Europe at the 2027 Ryder Cup should Luke Donald decide not to captain the blue and gold again.
Tommy Fleetwood
Tommy Fleetwood says former Open champion Francesco Molinari should succeed Luke Donald as Europe's Ryder Cup captain should Luke Donald decide not to lead the blue and gold again.
Donald's dozen completed stunning 15-13 away win against the United States at Bethpage Black two weeks ago in New York.
The Englishman previously said he was planning on handing over the reins whatever the result in the Big Apple but now there are calls for the former top-ranked Donald to retain the captaincy.
Justin Rose will inevitably lead Europe at the biennial dust-up in the future but it's more than likely he will want to avoid a repeat of the Keegan Bradley saga.
The months leading up to the 45th Ryder Cup was dominated by chatter of whether or not the American would pick himself.
Rose, 45, is arguably playing the best golf of his career and few would bet against the 2013 US Open winner making his eighth Ryder Cup appearance in two years at Adare Manor in Ireland.
Fleetwood told reporters that Donald has earned the right to decide whether to continue. He also joked Rose will be playing the Ryder Cup when he's 102 years old.
"We might have to wait a while for Justin to be captain," he said.
"I've spoken to Francesco about it numerous times. The respect he has from his peers and the players, his accomplishments and his experience, goes a long way to being a Ryder Cup captain."
Fleetwood and Molinari formed an incredible partnership at the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National outside Paris, winning all four of their matches.
"Moliwood" also defeated Tiger Woods and Bryson DeChambeau 5&4.
Fleetwood described Molinari as the perfect continuity candidate given his older brother Edoardo has proved to be vital in his role as the stats guru.
Matthew Fitzpatrick also believes the 2019 Open champion would make sense.
"He's very similar to Luke in that heโs quite quiet and reserved and very analytical in his thinking," he said. "He's obviously a great option."
Tommy Fleetwood reaches career-high in OWGR
A week after helping Europe clinch the Ryder Cup, Fleetwood competed in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Robert MacIntyre won the event, despite a terrible preparation that included a diet of takeaways and booze, whilst Fleetwood finished 21st.
The result was enough for Fleetwood to move up to a career-high fifth in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Tommy Fleetwood and Keegan Bradley
Fleetwood has been in terrific form all season, finally capturing his first win on the PGA Tour at the season-finale at East Lake after a number of near-misses.
The 34-year-old is set to play at least three more times on the DP World Tour this season before enjoying a break at Christmas.
Fleetwood will play the inaugural DP World Tour India Championship, Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship.
Luke Donald drops a hint
It is widely-assumed that Ryder Cup Europe have given Donald a few months to decide if he wants to captain the team again in 2027.
Our Andy Roberts believes the lure of a third win would be too much for Donald to turn down.
Donald took to social media last week to reveal his stress levels are finally subsiding.
Some questioned whether he dropped a hint about his decision.
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