Luke Donald has agreed to stay on as European Ryder Cup captain for the next edition in New York in 2025.
His 12-man contingent of players had chanted “two more years” in the immediate aftermath of their 16.5-11.5 victory over the United States at last month’s event in Rome.
And he has signed up in his quest to pull off an unlikely win on American soil in Bethpage Black where the fans are expected to be volatile towards the visitors.
Following the announcement, Donald said: “I’m delighted and honoured to have been given the chance to lead Team Europe in the Ryder Cup once again.
“Great opportunities don’t come along very often in life and I’m a great believer that when they do, you need to grab them with both hands. This is one of those moments.
“The Ryder Cup means so much to me so to be captain again and have the chance to create more history by becoming only the second European captain to win back-to-back is exciting.
“There is no question that being a captain away from home is a tough ask. But I have never shied away from challenges throughout my career and it is precisely the kind of thing that motivates me. I can’t wait to get another 12-strong team to Bethpage in 2025.”
Despite universal backing from his players in the wake of the triumph at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, the former world No1 had said afterwards that he would take time with his wife and children to decide his future.
He is Europe’s first repeat captain since Bernard Gallacher back in 1995 and is aiming to emulate Tony Jacklin in leading his side to Ryder Cup victory home and away as Jacklin achieved in 1985 and 1987.
Donald already boasted a stand-out record as a player, among the last European line-up to win on US soil back at Medinah in 2012. In total, he has a playing record of 10.5 from a possible 15 points in Ryder Cup matches.
The Englishman added: “I’ve been fortunate as a player to have had many amazing times in the Ryder Cup over the years and so to add being a winning captain to that, to form bonds with the 12 players like we did in Italy and to get the result we did, was very special indeed.”
