Just 12 days after removing Henrik Stenson from his captaincy, the European Ryder Cup team has already announced a replacement.
Previous reports were confirmed on Monday morning when four-time Ryder Cupper Luke Donald was officially named as the captain for Team Europe for the 2023 matches at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club near Rome, Sept. 29-Oct 1.
The 44-year-old Englishman previously represented Europe in 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2012 and has five PGA Tour wins and six DP World Tour wins under his belt. The former World No. 1 also served as a vice captain in the past two Ryder Cups. Donald is set to be the first Englishman since Nick Faldo in 2008 to captain the Europeans.
“I feel extremely privileged to have been given that responsibility and it is a responsibility I do not take lightly,” Donald said. “Some of my best experiences in golf have been in the Ryder Cup and I would not swap those for anything. It is an event like no other, and I cannot wait to create more special memories in Italy next year.
“I love everything the Ryder Cup embodies, from the camaraderie and companionship of being part of a team, to the history of the contest, but most of all playing for something bigger than yourself.”
Thomas Bjørn and Edoardo Molinari will remain as vice captains.
“In my opinion, it was essential that Thomas and Edoardo remained part of the team,” Donald said. “They were the first two calls I made once I got the nod to be captain and I’m delighted that they are fully on-board.
We're delighted to announce @LukeDonald as 2023 European Ryder Cup Captain 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/76P9F8Cl10
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) August 1, 2022
Donald was competing at the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage Classic last Thursday when the Telegraph reported his captaincy. When asked about the Telegraph report, Donald said: “If I got this captaincy I would live up to my word and see it through. Let me put it that way. I wouldn’t be doing a Henrik.”
“Everything is totally fine between us. We’re friends,” said Donald on Monday, noting how he and Stenson had spoken since his comments in Detroit. “And next time I see him I’ll congratulate him. He obviously played great yesterday and fair play to him.”
Stenson was ousted July 20 for joining the LIV Golf Invitational Series, where he won in his debut Sunday at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.
