The prospects for future European Ryder Cup teams took a hit on both the player and captain side this week.
For a player or captain to be eligible to represent Europe, they must be a DP World Tour member. Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood resigned their memberships on Wednesday, and while all three may have been fringe players for the 2023 event in Italy, the trio were sure-fire future captains given their respective history at the biennial bash against the Americans.
Garcia leads the European side in total points scored (28.5) and boasts an impressive 25-13-7 record, while Westwood is the most capped player with 11 appearances and is tied for the third-most points scored (24) with Bernhard Langer. Poulter has been a chest-thumping thorn in the Americans’ side with his 15–8–2 record, 6-0-1 in singles.
MORE: McIlroy responds to Ryder Cup stars resigning from DP World Tour
While a player who has resigned membership could hypothetically request to rejoin the tour the following year if they still remain eligible in terms of an exempt category, each individual case would vary and be subject to any further sanctions which may be imposed for subsequent breaches of the Conflicting Tournament Regulation, as alluded to in a DP World Tour statement this week.
With players who made the move to LIV Golf seemingly out of the picture for the near future, here’s a look at some potential future European Ryder Cup captains, including a few new names and some old blood.
We’ll start with the extreme because desperate times call for desperate measures. McIlroy (12-12-4 in six appearances) has been the face of Team Europe and carries a lot of sway with the Blue and Gold. As the new world No. 1, Rahm (4-3-1 in two caps) continues to see his status in the game rise week after week.
Whether its recency bias or a notable momentum shift, the U.S. has won two of the last three events and on paper seem poised to earn their first win on foreign soil since 1993 later this fall. Tiger Woods was a playing captain for the U.S. Presidents Cup team in 2019 in Australia, but the Ryder Cup hasn’t featured a playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963.
The Europeans have never used a playing captain, but given the current state of affairs, why not entrust the squad to one of the two most important players not only on the continent, but in the game?
Rory McIlroy chats with Jon Rahm ahead of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National on September 26, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Rose may not be the next in line for the 2025 matches at Bethpage Black in New York, but he’s sure to get the call sooner rather than later. The 42-year-old Englishman has been a solid member of Team Europe with a 13-8-2 record over five previous appearances. The Euros are all about team camaraderie, and Rose is certainly familiar with this generation of players.
Justin Rose reacts on the 14th green during the Ryder Cup morning matches at Le Golf National. (Photo: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)
Don’t be surprised to see Edoardo Molinari and little brother Francesco featured in future European squads.
In 2010 at Celtic Manor in Wales, the Italians became the first brothers to compete together in a Ryder Cup since Bernard and Geoffrey Hunt played for Great Britain and Ireland in 1963.
Francesco (5-4-2 in three caps) will be competing for a spot on the 2023 team while Edoardo (0-1-2 in one appearance) will wear an earpiece as a vice captain for the first time in their native Italy come September.
Brothers Francesco Molinari and Edoardo Molinari pose for a photograph on the first hole during a practice round prior to the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club on September 06, 2022 in Virginia Water, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Karlsson has won just one match in two separate starts for the Euros but has been a trusted vice captain in the last two matches under Padraig Harrington and Thomas Bjorn. The 53-year-old Swede was on a short list for the 2023 captaincy before Henrik Stenson was tapped and then subsequently sacked after his move to LIV Golf.
Robert Karlsson talks about being named a European Ryder Cup Vice Captain prior to the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club on Sept. 18, 2019 in the United Kingdom. (Photo: Kate McShane/Getty Images)
A two-time member of Team Europe (4-3-1 record), Lawrie was also on the short list alongside Karlsson and Donald, who eventually was named to replace Stenson for the 2023 matches.
The 54-year-old Scot might not be a well-known name, but he’s respected by the European side and has some brief experience as a vice captain for Darren Clarke in 2016.
Vice-captain Paul Lawrie walks the course during practice prior to the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on September 27, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Now for the potential returning captains. Why not start with McGinley?
Sure, he’s a bit on the seasoned side, but McGinley captained the squad to victory in 2014 at Gleneagles in Scotland and has twice been a vice captain. The Irishman was just 2-2-5 in three appearances as a player, but if you listen to him talk about the event, you can tell the love he has for not only the Ryder Cup, but the European squad itself.
From the left, Europe’s Jamie Donaldson, Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose pour champagne over captain Paul McGinley as they celebrate winning the 2014 Ryder Cup.
Believe it or not, Bjorn has more experience as a captain in the event. After three caps as a player (3-4-2 record), The Great Dane was a vice captain in 2004, 2010, 2012 and 2016 before he captained the side to a win in France in 2018.
Captain Thomas Bjorn of Europe celebrates with The Ryder Cup after singles matches of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National on September 30, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Let’s see how this year goes first, but given the short list of options Donald could be a return captain if the team defends home soil in the fall. The Euros haven’t had repeat captains in consecutive years since Bernard Gallacher led the side in 1991, 1993 and 1995. Before Gallacher, Tony Jacklin captained the Europeans four straight matches from 1983-1989.
Donald boasts an impressive 10-4-1 record in four caps for the squad and has been a vice captain under both Bjorn and Padraig Harrington.
European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald poses for a portrait on August 01, 2022 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
And now for the outsiders. Those around Team Europe weren’t thrilled with Harrington’s captaincy in 2021, where Steve Stricker’s American side romped the Euros at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, 19-9. In the Irishman’s defense, his team was outmatched against the U.S. on a course that heavily favored the Red, White and Blue. That said, Harrington’s chances of a return are certainly slim.
Team Europe captain Padraig Harrington and Team Europe’s Matt Fitzpatrick smile as they pose for a team picture during a practice day at the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, in Haven, Wisconsin. (Photo by Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press)
Last but not least, what about Darren Clarke? Like Harrington, he was on the business end of a beating at the hands of the Americans, 17-11, in 2016 at Hazeltine in Minnesota, but the Northern Irishman has been a loyal servant for the side after two stints as a vice captain (2010 and 2012) and five appearances as a player (10-7-3).
At 54, Clarke may have aged out of the role, but if the Euros get desperate, he’s certainly available.
Darren Clarke in a press conference before the 2016 Ryder Cup.
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