2027 Ryder Cup: Francesco Molinari to Serve Again as Vice-Captain of Team Europe
Francesco Molinari will once again be among the stars of the Ryder Cup. The Turin-born champion has been confirmed for the third consecutive edition as vice captain of Team Europe for the Centennial Ryder Cup, scheduled to take place at Adare Manor in Limerick, Ireland, from September 17 to 19, 2027.
Molinari will once again work alongside Captain Luke Donald, who will lead the European team following victories over the United States in Rome in 2023 and in Farmingdale, New York, in 2025. He will also be reunited with his brother Edoardo Molinari on the coaching staff, who was previously selected by Donald himself as vice captain.
“I was very happy when Luke asked me to rejoin the staff,” said Francesco Molinari. “In a situation like this, there can only be one answer. I’ve had two extraordinary experiences—different from one another but both unforgettable—spending some of the best weeks of my life. Donald has proven to be an exceptional leader and has approached this role in a unique way. In Farmingdale, I witnessed what was probably the best performance by a Ryder Cup captain that I’ve ever seen. I watched the last edition, held in Ireland in 2006, on television, but I’ve always heard about the incredible atmosphere created by the Irish fans, and I can’t wait to experience it firsthand.”
Words of great esteem also came from Luke Donald: “Bringing Francesco back was a natural decision. He brings with him extraordinary experience and a deep understanding of the Ryder Cup. I really appreciate his personality: he’s level-headed, discreet, and knows how to help create that positive atmosphere that has characterized the last two tournaments. The players trust him, and he knows how to relate to each of them. He’s a valuable asset to the entire team.”
At 43, Molinari boasts an exceptionally prestigious resume. As a player, he competed in three Ryder Cups, all of which ended in a European victory. In 2010, he contributed to Team Europe’s success at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales alongside his brother Edoardo; in 2012, he played a key role in the famous “Miracle of Medinah,” securing the decisive half-point with a tie against Tiger Woods; in 2018, in Paris, he made history by becoming the first European to win all five matches played in the same edition.
Also in 2018, he won the Open Championship at Carnoustie, becoming the first—and so far only—Italian to win a major tournament. His list of achievements also includes six victories on the DP World Tour, including two Italian Opens (2006 and 2016) and the 2018 BMW PGA Championship, as well as winning the Race to Dubai that same year. On the PGA Tour, he has two victories: the Quicken Loans National in 2018 and the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2019.
A notable statistic marks his Ryder Cup career: whether as a player or as an assistant captain, Molinari has never tasted defeat. The same record is held by his brother Edoardo and by Luke Donald, who remained undefeated in the four editions he played in as a player between 2004 and 2012.
