Luke Donald has named Francesco Molinari as second vice-captain of the European team at the 2027 Ryder Cup, which will be played at Adare Manor, Limerick, Ireland, from September 13-19, 2027.

Molinari joins his brother Edoardo on Donald's coaching team for the third consecutive Ryder Cup after both having been vice-captains in the victories obtained at Marco Simone in 2023 and Bethpage in 2025.

The three aim is to guide Europe to a third consecutive victory against the United States, when the Ryder Cup celebrates its centenary next year.

Francesco Molinari stated, «I was delighted when Luke proposed it to me. I’ve had two magnificent experiences in Rome and New York, two very different, but both memorable, and some of the best weeks of my life. So it was an easy and straightforward decision.”

“Luke Donald has been a great leader these past few years. He’s a perfect fit and has only improved with time and experience. Communication is fundamental to his job, and to ours. Communicating with the players, with us, expressing his ideas, and getting everyone on the same page. What I saw at Bethpage was undoubtedly the best captaincy I’ve witnessed in the Ryder Cups I’ve been involved in, so I expect to see further development over the next two years, leading up to Ireland.”.

“I think Ireland is going to be very special. The last time it was held there, at the K Club, I watched it on television, but I didn't actively participate. I've heard a lot about the Irish fans and the whole Irish atmosphere, and I'm really looking forward to experiencing it in person.”.

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald said, “I’m really happy to have Francesco back on the team. He’s been a key member of the coaching staff as vice-captain the last two times I’ve been captain. He brings a wealth of experience, a proven track record of Ryder Cup success, and I love his personality.”.

As a player, Francesco Molinari was part of three European teams that won the Ryder Cup, two of them on home soil. He made his debut alongside his brother Edoardo at Celtic Manor Resort in 2010 and, two years later at Medinah, he secured the half point in the singles final against Tiger Woods, clinching a 14.5-13.5 victory for José María Olazábal's team in the 2012 Ryder Cup.

In 2018, he became the first European player to win all five of his matches in a Ryder Cup, when Thomas Bjørn's team prevailed 17.5–10.5 at Le Golf National de Paris. Earlier that year, Francesco Molinari won the Open Championship at Carnoustie, becoming the first Italian major champion.

Francesco Molinari was the player-captain for Continental Europe against Great Britain and Ireland in the 2015 Team Cup and the 2023 edition, known as the Hero Cup. He has also participated in three editions of the Seve Trophy and, in total, has won six times on the DP World Tour. His victories include two wins in his home country, at the Italian Open in 2006 and 2016, as well as a Rolex Series title at the 2018 BMW PGA Championship.

He won the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai in 2018 and has achieved two individual victories on American soil on the PGA TOUR: the 2018 Quicken Loans National and the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational.

SOURCE: Ryder Cup Europe