Luke Donald has won the last two Ryder Cups. For his third attempt, he is bringing back the same man who helped him win both of them.

European captain Donald officially named Francesco Molinari as a vice-captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup on Wednesday, June 24. The event takes place at Adare Manor in Ireland from Sept. 17-19, 2027.

Molinari joins his older brother Edoardo, who was previously announced in the same role.

Donald explained why bringing Molinari back was straightforward. "He's been an integral part of the backroom team as a vice-captain the last two times I've been in charge as captain," Donald said in a video by RyderCup. "We have a great working relationship. We have a great friendship off and on the golf course, and that's important. You want to be able to feel like you can pick up the phone anytime and chat about things."

Molinari served as vice-captain alongside Edoardo at Marco Simone in 2023 and at Bethpage Black in 2025. Donald's European team won both. The Bethpage win came on American soil against a passionate home crowd, a result that gave Molinari particular satisfaction.

"What I saw in Bethpage was definitely the best captaincy I've ever witnessed in the Ryder Cups I've been involved in," Molinari said. "I'm looking forward to see a further evolution in the next two years leading into Ireland."

Molinari said his earlier appointment this time, compared to Rome and New York, gives him more runway to contribute. "I'm going to have more time to get ready for it, more time to look at players and probably be a little more involved with Luke and Eduardo in the longer-term decisions," he said.

Donald's backroom team is taking shape as Jim Furyk builds his U.S. side across the Atlantic.

Furyk, who appeared in nine Ryder Cups as a player, was named U.S. captain after Keegan Bradley's loss at Bethpage Black in 2025. Furyk has since named Stewart Cink and Justin Leonard as his vice-captains for the 2027 event in Limerick, Ireland.

Francesco Molinari Brings A Strong Portfolio To His Role

Francesco Molinari, 43, won the Open Championship in 2018 and was part of Europe's winning Ryder Cup teams in 2010, 2012, and 2018.

"I was very pleased when Luke asked me. I've had two great experiences in Rome and New York, two very different ones, but both of them memorable, and some of the best weeks of my life. So, it was an easy, straightforward decision. I was honoured and pleased when Luke phoned me, We've been together as a team for a while now, so it was a very easy conversation to have." He said as reported by EuropeanTour.com

At the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris, he won all five of his matches. He also helped Europe's famous 2012 comeback, known as the Miracle at Medinah, by earning an important half-point against Tiger Woods.

Molinari said the prospect of competing in Ireland carries its own appeal. "I think Ireland is going to be a very special venue," he said as reported. "The Irish fans and the whole Irish atmosphere, I can't wait to experience it myself."

Do you think Europe can win the Ryder Cup for a third straight time at Adare Manor? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi