[Photo: Vaughn Ridley]
Ryder Cup hero Shane Lowry has acknowledged his Bethpage Black captain Luke Donald could be tempted by a shot at history, with officials set to hold talks with the Englishman at this week’s Dubai Desert Classic.
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Donald will meet with DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings at the Emirates Golf Club, site of the first Rolex Series event of the year, to discuss whether the former world No.1 can be convinced to lead the European team at Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027.
The 48-year-old could become the first Ryder Cup captain to oversee three victories in a row after engineering a resounding home win in Rome in 2023. Last year, Donald also guided the Europeans to an emotional away victory at Bethpage, where Lowry drained a closing birdie to retain the trophy.
It was Europe’s 11th triumph in the past 14 Ryder Cups.
On Tuesday at the Dubai Desert Classic, Donald told reporters the decision would require considerable thought given his family is based in Florida. A Ryder Cup in Ireland – a home Cup for Europe – would demand enormous amounts of his time.
“I will sit down for a chat with Guy this week just to see where I am,” Donald told reporters.
“I kind of know what the job entails, but [will meet] just to see what they are looking for. Just a chat. I have got a couple more months to decide. Usually, they announce it sometime in March.
“It is a little bit more work at home. You have more control and so it is more work. And I have to travel because I live in the US. Little things like that. Seeing how much they need… all that stuff. If I do it again, it will be full-steam ahead and put everything I can into it. Just got to weigh up the pros and cons, really.”
Former Open champion Lowry was asked if there was any effort from the playing group – which includes senior figures like Lowry and Rory McIlroy – to persuade their skipper to captain for a third time.
“Look, I think it’s Luke’s if he wants it,” said Lowry, who finished T-3 at last week’s Dubai Invitational. “Does he want it or not? I’m not sure. It’s a big undertaking for him, and he’s obviously been very successful. But you know, there’s a huge carrot dangling there to go three in a row and be the only person to do that.
“It is a big undertaking for him, and it’s also a big undertaking for his family because he will be travelling a lot more. He’ll be in Ireland a lot obviously getting ready for it. When you’re doing a home Ryder Cup, there’s a lot more planning with you and your wife. Yeah, I’d certainly love to see him as a captain.”
