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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Matt Verri

Ryder Cup 2025: Who are the Team Europe captains?

Reigning champions: Team Europe - (Getty Images)

Luke Donald will this week attempt to mastermind another European victory at the Ryder Cup.

The Englishman was a brilliant captain two years ago in Rome but now faces a huge test as he and his player look to retain the trophy on the road.

Donald was a player the last time Team Europe won on American soil, at Medinah in 2012, and he will be fully aware of the size of the task ahead.

He has opted for four of the same vice-captains he had in Rome, with the only change being Alex Noren's inclusion and Nicolas Colsaerts dropping out.

"Yeah, very disappointed, because it's a competition that I live for that has basically been the only thing that will get me out of bed for the last couple of years," Colsaerts admitted.

"Extremely disappointed, yes, but the captain is in charge. There are no hard feelings to have about the decision the captain makes."

Luke Donald

The former world number one thrived at the Ryder Cup as a player, winning on all four appearances and registering a 10-4-1 record, and that run continued as captain in Rome.

Hugely popular figure and two years ago the players urged him to stay on as captain for Bethpage. He agreed, becoming the first European to lead the team for consecutive Ryder Cups since Bernard Gallacher did it three times between 1991 and 1995.

Main man: Luke Donald (Getty Images)

Jose Maria Olazabal

Made his debut as a player in 1987 and has been a Ryder Cup force every since, whether it be on the course or off it. Had a legendary partnership with fellow Spaniard Seve Ballesteros.

Invoked Ballesteros' spirit when captain at Medinah in 2012 to inspire a remarkable comeback win. This will be his 13th Ryder Cup as either a player, captain or vice-captain.

Experienced veteran: Jose Maria Olazabal (Getty Images)

Thomas Bjorn

On three victorious Ryder Cup teams as a player and then stepped up as captain in 2018, when Europe were dominant winners at Le Golf National.

Bjorn was a vice-captain in Rome two years ago and this will be the sixth time he has played that role.

Serial winner: Thomas Bjorn (Getty Images)

Edoardo Molinari

Played a key role in the Rome victory, providing statistical analysis and having a crucial input when it came to deciding pairings.

Made one Ryder Cup team as a player, when he teamed up with brother Francesco on the winning 2010 team at Celtic Manor.

Analyst: Edoardo Molinari (Getty Images)

Francesco Molinari

The 2018 Open champion came agonisingly close to winning the Masters a year later, but faded as Tiger Woods took victory.

Did not win a match in his first two Ryder Cup appearances but in 2018 became the first player ever to go 5-0-0, having struck up a formidable partnership with Tommy Fleetwood.

Record breaker: Francesco Molinari (Getty Images)

Alex Noren

Named as Donald's fifth and final vice captain earlier this made. Described his role as being "an extra set of eyes over a few players".

The Swede had made a late run to make the team as a player. Missed four months of the season with a hamstring injury, but returned to win the British Masters and the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth this summer.

Extra set of eyes: Alex Noren (Getty Images)
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