Ryder Cup 2027: Luke Donald will remain Ireland’s European captain

Donald’s reappointment has always seemed a no-brainer – certainly from the perspective of the European Ryder Cup committee trying to secure another win on home soil, the players who adore and admire the Englishman, and the thousands of European fans who gleefully chanted “two more years” as they celebrated in Bethpage.

The only person who seemed to need convincing was Donald himself.

Donald has thrown everything into the role – arguably more than any other captain in the 99-year history of the iconic event. So it’s no surprise that he wanted to take his time deciding whether to continue or not.

The morning after Europe clung to victory, Donald looked exhausted when he sat down for an interview with BBC Sport.

It was not a hangover from the celebrations. It was a leftover from the mental and physical effort expended throughout the entire Bethpage course.

What Donald had to weigh was whether he had enough energy to spend another 18 months of meticulous research, preparation and execution.

His leadership was characterized by warm management and attention to detail.

How many leaders regularly send messages to a wide range of candidates in an attempt to make each one of them feel like an integral part of the team?

How many captains have asked to cover the cracks in hotel doors because they allow too much light into the rooms and can interfere with sleep?

Simple moves in the macro machine. This is what Donald built his Ryder Cup dynasty on.

And in the midst of the Bethpage dance, Shane Lowry pointed out that whoever follows Donald – wherever that may be – will have to fill a void as big as the one left by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

And if Donald can pull off a rare hat-trick, as Fergie did in 1999, his place in the British sporting leaders will also be secured.