Luke Donald has named Francesco Molinari as his fourth Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup which will be played at Bethpage Black, New York, from September 26-28.
Molinari returns to the role having also been a Vice Captain for the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, when Europe defeated the United States 16½-11½ at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
The Italian joins his brother Edoardo, Thomas Bjørn and José María Olazábal in Donald’s backroom team as Team Europe aims to retain the Ryder Cup in New York.
Molinari played in the last European team to achieve that feat, securing the half point in the final Singles match against Tiger Woods at Medinah in 2012 which ensured that Olazábal’s team won the Ryder Cup outright 14½-13½. He previously made his debut alongside his brother Edoardo two years earlier at The Celtic Manor Resort.
Molinari said: “I’m very happy to be part of the team again. I really enjoyed being part of Luke’s backroom team in Rome and trying to help the players. Luke is a very smart, switched on individual. He has been very successful and he is an easy person to work with. It’s been great to see at firsthand how much he is putting into being the Captain. He did the same two years ago and he’s doing it now. He leads by example so that passion trickles down to the players.
“It is going to be a big challenge at Bethpage. You just have to look at the stats to see how difficult it is to win the Ryder Cup away from home. It hasn’t happened that often recently, so it is a big challenge but it is a big opportunity to try to do something that, if it does happen, will be remembered for a long, long time. Everyone will give their best and I am very happy to be able to give my contribution to the team.
“I can’t wait to be there. I can’t wait to try to transmit my experience from Medinah to the players. There will be a few of us who were there in 2012. Some still playing and some others like Luke and myself who are now behind the scenes. Medinah still has a special place in my memories, and in my heart, and I would be really happy and really proud to see this generation of players complete something like that.”
European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald said: “I am really excited to announce that Francesco is going to be joining me again as one of my Vice Captains for New York. He was obviously a big part of the team in Rome and to have him and his experience again means a lot to me personally. He knows how to win Ryder Cups, having been on three winning teams, and I think that’s really important for us. We obviously have a tough task ahead of us trying to win away in New York.
“I think he brings a very calm head. He is someone who listens a lot and has good ideas. He speaks up when he feels like he needs to. I love his demeanour. He just doesn’t seem to get too flustered. He doesn’t seem to get too high or too low. I think that’s going to be important in a place like New York, an away Ryder Cup. So I love what he brings and I’m very excited that he’s a part of the team again.”