Regardless of what unfolds at Bethpage Black this week, it is unlikely that Luke Donald will still be in charge when the Ryder Cup returns to Adare Manor in 2027.
Donald has made a unique mark on the competition. He is only the third person this century, joining Tom Watson and Davis Love III, to lead a team into battle for a second time.
The decision was already set before he had even claimed victory in Rome. The Englishman called it one of his career highlights when the players at Marco Simone started chanting for him to stay on for another two years.
Even so, it would not be surprising if the DP World Tour is already weighing up options for who might take over once this year’s event wraps up.
Justin Rose comments on chances of leading Europe at Adare Manor
With some big names possibly out of the running due to their ties to LIV Golf, Justin Rose now looks like the clear front-runner.
This will be his seventh Ryder Cup appearance, so there is no debate over whether he has the experience and respect needed for the job.
But judging by how he is playing, there is still a good chance he could be part of the team again in 2027.
Rose spoke about the situation on The NCG Golf Podcast, admitting that it will not be an easy call if he is offered the position soon.
“I don’t know. It is an interesting time for Europe, and this is not me out of the equation, Luke’s done two. I don’t think there’s a natural, ready-made perfect-timing captain waiting in the wings,” Rose said when asked about his future captaincy prospects.
He continued: “So that might be a good time for me, it might be a terrible time for me, because actually the captaincy isn’t in two years’ time, it actually is in four months’ time. So I think that is a thing to remember. That’s the thing I’ve got to remember going forwards. And that’s what Luke has really shown all of us I think, how big a role it is, and how much hard work it is.
“It’s not like a month before, ‘alright boys, how are we all playing? What do we think about pairings?’ That’s maybe how it was once upon a time. Luke has been, I guess, like a CEO for three years now. He’s been very impressive.”
Why Bethpage might not mark the end of Justin Rose’s Ryder Cup playing days
Rose has not just shown up to make up the numbers. He was right in the mix at The Masters, finishing runner-up after a strong final round and then backed it up with a win at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Beating J.J. Spaun in that Memphis playoff was a reminder of how much he brings to the table, especially with the Ryder Cup so close.
That win made sure he did not need to rely on a captain’s pick for Bethpage.
| Year | Justin Rose’s points won | Overall record |
| 2008 | 3 | 3-1-0 |
| 2012 | 3 | 3-2-0 |
| 2014 | 4 | 3-0-2 |
| 2016 | 2 | 2-3-0 |
| 2018 | 2 | 2-2-0 |
| 2023 | 1.5 | 1-1-1 |
Even if he does not play more than three matches, Rose is someone who fits well with nearly anyone on the team.
Rasmus Hojgaard would likely benefit from having Rose by his side for his debut, and there is also growing interest in finally seeing him paired with Rory McIlroy.
He remains a key figure for Donald, so it would not be surprising if this is not quite the end of his playing days in the Ryder Cup.
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