With the Europeans savoring a crushing five-point win at this year’s Ryder Cup matches the attention now turns to the next gathering in two year’s time at New York’s Long Island and the renowned Bethpage State Park’s Black Course.
Who will skipper each side for those matches will be one of the main early storylines.
For the Europeans, the possibility exists Luke Donald will be asked to return and lead the team. Donald was a late switch for the captain’s position as Sweden’s Henrik Stenson was initially chosen but subsequently removed for joining LIV Golf.
Stenson’s fate was not the only domino to fall. Other notable Euro players who left for LIV and who played central roles in achieving past Ryder Cup success were also placed on the persona non grata list. Those names include Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell.
The likelihood for any of the aforementioned names to secure a captain’s selection is all about ended. At one time the process in selecting a Euro captain seemed daunting with all the names in the mix. Now the matter is a moot point.
Donald skillfully handled the myriad of details associated with the matches. His temperament was even-keeled throughout and his deft handling in managing the critical pairings for the first two days of the event was done with a jeweler’s touch as he paired together both golf skills and personalities.
Should Donald be selected he would be the first Euro captain to be selected for consecutive matches since Bernard Gallacher did so between 1991-1995. Favoring the choice of Donald is the continuity he would provide and the general goodwill he has built up during his initial time at the helm for the Rome matches.
Can Rose Bloom?
That doesn’t mean a Donald return engagement as captain is a sure thing. Other candidates could easily emerge. One of those names is a Euro team participant from this year’s matches — Justin Rose.
The 43-year-old Englishman has played on six Euro Ryder Cup teams — and on the winning side four times. At the conclusion of the matches Rose was announced as the recipient of the Nicklaus-Jacklin Award presented by Aon.
The award is given to a member displaying exemplary character and poise in the face of one of sports’ most compelling atmospheres, all while maintaining sound decision making and representing the true spirit of the event. A stalwart in the Team Europe dressing room, sharing his experience with a young team and leading by example by contributing key momentum building points when it mattered.
On day one, Justin holed a decisive putt on the 18th to secure a tie, and his immediate reaction was to turn and acknowledge teammates standing beside the green – showcasing his belief team should always come first.
Providing a cumulative tally of 1-1-1, the Rome matches may have been his final curtain call as a playing member but his selection as captain appears a likely event – whether at Bethpage or at the ’27 matches scheduled for Ireland at Adare Manor.
USA Captain?
Before the arrival of LIV Golf, it seemed a near certainty Phil Mickelson would be chosen captain not only for one match but likely in two events
The six-time major winner and member of a record 12 USA Ryder Cup teams was slated by many to be the probable captain for the ’25 Bethpage event. Mickelson was in competition at both the ’02 and ’09 U.S. Opens played on the renowned Black Course and the crowds within the greater New York metropolitan area have long been avid fans of Lefty.
Then LIV Golf emerged and with that Mickelson’s expected captaincy became a non-starter. Comments also came from Mickelson on a range of subject — namely betting on sports including the 2012 Ryder Cup which Mickelson has stated never happened — that have now placed him on far outside looking in. The role of captain looked inevitable for Mickelson and now the realty says otherwise.
Lanny Wadkins, the 1995 Ryder Cup captain who calls PGA Tour Champions telecasts for Golf Channel, said he didn’t envision Mickelson being chosen to lead a U.S. team.
“He probably would’ve been a two-time captain. Now he’s not going to be involved,” said Wadkins. “It’s really kind of a shame. He’s really self-imploded, and he just continues to do it at every turn. It’s disappointing and sad. It’s sad that we have people in our game that think they’re bigger than the game, and obviously, Phil thinks he’s bigger.”
With Mickelson likely a non-starter for the skipper’s position the evidence suggests Tiger Woods will be approached to gauge his interest. Woods has played a leading role in past Ryder and Presidents Cup matches. He served as playing captain for the 2019 Presidents Cup held in 2019 in Montreal. Additionally, the bond between Woods and Bethpage Black is a strong one. He captured the first U.S. Open played there in 2002 and nearly won again when the event returned in 2009.
The main caveat is whether the 18-time major winner wishes to do so. A Ryder Cup captaincy is a clear commitment for an extended amount of time. However, if Woods opts to do so then his involvement could provide the kind of magnified moment needed to motivate the U.S. team.
Ben Hogan was the last American to serve as captain in consecutive matches in 1947 and 1949. The process for discussion isn’t slated till the end of this year or even the early part of -24. Final decisions aren’t generally announced until February.
There is a six-member committee that decide the next Ryder Cup captain which comprises Zach Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, along with the PGA president John Lindert and vice president Don Rea and CEO Seth Waugh.
