European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has appointed Edoardo Molinari as his first Vice Captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup, which will be played at Adare Manor in Ireland next September.
Molinari returns to the role for the third successive Ryder Cup, having been part of the European victories at Marco Simone in Italy in 2023 and Bethpage in New York last year.
As part of his role, the 45-year-old Italian will once again provide backroom support to Donald and Team Europe through his statistical analysis model.
Molinari said: “It was a very easy decision when Luke called me and asked me if I was willing to help him again. I was obviously very happy. I think any time you can get involved in the Ryder Cup, in any role, it’s a great thing and I cannot wait for Adare Manor to come soon enough.
“Luke is an unbelievable captain. He’s very well-liked by all the players. The great thing about him is that he leads by example. He really puts a lot of effort and thoughts into this process, into the Ryder Cup. He’s trying to make all the players very comfortable when they’re in the team. And at the same time, he’s very motivated to win.
“He will really try any new avenues, new ideas, and see what works. He is incredibly hardworking. And then the players really follow him because they see how motivated he is.
“I thought 2023 in Rome was great, but 2025 was another level. Europe hadn’t won away in a long time. Winning in New York against those crowds was something everyone thought was always impossible when we started working for it. To be able to pull it off, was a dream come true, and at the end of the week it was incredible. It was something that we will never forget.
“It’s going to be incredible to play in front of the Irish crowd next year. Every time we play in an Irish Open or anything really in Ireland, they’re always very passionate, very loud. They’re also very respectful of the players, which I think is going to be a great thing for this Ryder Cup coming after New York. But obviously being the home team, they will be supporting us very strongly, very loud. It’s going to be amazing for all the players and everyone involved to be playing in front of them.”
European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald said: “Edoardo has been a rock of support to me. He has made such a difference to our team. He is invaluable from a statistical analysis perspective, in terms of helping me with the qualification system, navigating the ever-changing world of golf. He is a very steady head. I always know where I stand with him and he gives me great advice.
“For me, my Vice Captain appointments are important, so to have his expertise again is key. Edoardo is a major factor in our backroom team. He works closely with a number of players. He is a numbers guy and he is always looking at how to gain those edges, through statistics, through looking at the golf course and how you can set it up to give yourself just a little bit of an edge, which you have a little bit more control over as a home team.
“I’m excited to work with him again. He is so committed, so dedicated and he loves what the Ryder Cup represents. It’s an honour to having him by my side once again.”