March 4 (Reuters) – Luke Donald was named European captain for a third consecutive Ryder Cup on Wednesday as he aims to become the first captain to guide a team to three straight victories next year.
The 48-year-old Englishman was named European captain for the 2027 contest in Limerick, Ireland, following his back-to-back wins over the U.S. in Rome and New York last year.
“The last two Ryder Cups have meant a lot to me and my family. I didn’t imagine this third time would come,” Donald said in a statement.
“Celebrating on that Sunday night in New York after a pressure-packed week in a tough environment, I thought maybe my job was done. But maybe there is a little more story to tell.
“This Ryder Cup Captaincy journey has given me so much focus, so much purpose and it is something I don’t take for granted. It’s a real privilege and I am certainly looking forward to another home Ryder Cup.”
The appointment carries extra significance as Donald returns to Ireland, where he competed as a player in 2006 and won all three of his matches at The K Club under Ian Woosnam’s captaincy.
“The Irish golf fans are some of the best in the world. They are so passionate about the game, so hospitable and so down to earth,” Donald said.
“That will be a big factor. It’s obviously one of the advantages of playing at home and there is no better place to do it than in Ireland.”
The 2027 Ryder Cup will take place from September 17-19 at Adare Manor, with the biennial contest celebrating its 100th anniversary.
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)
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