MOLINARI NAMED VICE IN WEEK WOODS TURNS DOWN CAPTAINCY
Italy’s Edoardo Molinari has been named Luke Donald’s first vice captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Limerick in 2027. (Photo: DP World Tour/Getty)
In a week when Tiger Woods turned down the US Ryder Cup captaincy role for Adare Manor in 2027, European captain Luke Donald appointed Edoardo Molinari as his first vice captain when the biennial takes place at the Limerick venue from September 17-19, 2027.
Molinari returns to the role for the third successive Ryder Cup, having been part of the European victories at Marco Simone in Rome, Italy, in 2023 and Bethpage in New York last year.
As part of his role, the 45-year-old will once again provide statistical 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. He 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.”
As for the woes of Woods, they continued after he recently crashed his Range Rover into a stationary truck when trying to overtake near his home on Jupiter Island in Florida. After being arrested and charged with driving under the influence then later released, the 15 time Major winner announced he was stepping away from the game to concentrate on his health and wellbeing.
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WHO IS EDOARDO MOLINARI?
Molinari’s first time as vice-captain was on home soil in Italy, contributing to Team Europe’s memorable 16 ½ - 11 ½ victory against the United States at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.
He then returned to the backroom team for the 15-13 win at Bethpage, New York, last September and will resume the role for the 100th anniversary of the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor.
Molinari featured as a player in the 2010 Ryder Cup in Wales alongside his brother Francesco, who was also a Vice Captain in Rome and New York.
The Molinaris became the first brothers to compete against the United States since Bernard and Geoffrey Hunt played in the 1963 Great Britain & Ireland team. They halved their fourballs match against Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar, while Edoardo contributed another crucial half point in his singles match against Rickie Fowler as Europe triumphed 14½-13½.
In addition to his three victories on the DP World Tour, Molinari was also the Challenge Tour Number One in 2009 and is a respected member of the DP World Tour’s Tournament Committee.
Before turning professional, Molinari won the 2005 US Amateur Championship and alongside Francesco, claimed the World Cup of Golf for Italy in 2009 at Mission Hills in China.