BOCA RATON, Fla. — The golfers are not the only ones endorsing Luke Donald to return as captain of the European Ryder Cup team.
Four former European Ryder Cup captains were in the field at the TimberTech Championship on the Old Course at Broken Sound, one of them, Irishman Padraig Harrington, winning the event.
And all four share the same sentiments of the players who started chanting “two more years” after soundly defeating the United States in Rome, 16½-11½, five weeks ago.
The Europeans were expressing their desire for Donald to return for a second run as captain in 2025, when the Ryder Cup moves back to the U.S. and will be played at Bethpage Black in New York. Donald is showing interest in returning. The decision now is in the hands of the European Ryder Cup committee.
Here is what those who have walked in Donald’s shoes have to say about the 45-year-old returning. Like the Europeans in Rome, the U.S. will have a distinct advantage playing on home soil and in front of what should be an energized crowd.
Captain Padraig Harrington of Ireland and team Europe looks on over the 15th green during Sunday Singles Matches of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 26, 2021 in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Harrington was the captain for Europe’s 19-9 loss in 2021 at Whistling Straits. Donald was one of his vice-captains.
“I knew Luke would do a great job,” he said. “He was my vice-captain and he did great in that job and I was vice-captain with him before (in 2018).
“I wasn’t surprised by anything Luke did. He’d be a great captain again at Bethpage. I’m surprised anybody wants it. If he wants it, I think the players certainly want him and I think everybody would support it.”
When asked why he’d be surprised anyone would want to be Europe’s captain in 2025, Harrington said: Bethpage.
“It’s difficult being an away captain but I think Bethpage would be the toughest one ever. It’d be a big sacrifice for him to do it.”
Padraig Harrington, Bernhart Langer and Miguel Angel Jimenez hold the prize as the European team celebrates 2004 Ryder Cup award ceremonies in Detroit, Michigan, September 19, 2004. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Langer was captain of the winning European team in 2004 at Oakland Hills Country Club in Michigan.
“He knows what to expect,” said Langer, who was born in Germany but has lived in Boca Raton since 1986. “And he’s just done it.
“When I did it I had never been captain of anything big like that. You have to grow, and grow quickly and learn and pick other people’s brains. I played under six other captains so I could pick from them.
“Generally the rule is they want to give different players the opportunity. I don’t know who’s next in line and with LIV it’s a problem. A lot of guys that may have had a chance to become captains are now on the LIV tour and they may not get the opportunity.”
Donald replaced Henrik Stenson as captain. Stenson was disqualified after joining LIV Golf.
Ryder Cup captains Corey Pavin and Colin Montgomerie.
Montgomerie, who was born in Scotland and now lives in Naples, captained the winning European team in 2010 at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales. He not only believes Donald should return, but he believes, as many others do, Tiger Woods should lead the U.S. team.
“Fantastic,” Montgomerie said. “He did a great job. I think Tiger should be your captain against Luke Donald in America. It would be great.
“He’s (Donald) a very safe pair of hands. Very well liked this side of the Atlantic and in Europe. He did a great job and I think if he’s up for it, if he wants it, I think it’s his.”
Team Europe captain Darren Clarke speaks during the closing ceremonies after the single matches in 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
Clarke, from Northern Ireland, was the captain in 2016, when Europe was defeated by the U.S. at Hazeltine National Golf Club outside of Minneapolis.
“Looking at it as a sports fan as I was, I watched every shot of it from the Bahamas, and Luke appeared to do a great job,” Clarke said. “For me, if he was to (be the captain) again I think it would be brilliant of us.
“There’s a few other guys lining up as well but I think Luke did a wonderful job in Italy. If he does get it that would be great.”
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