Professional Golf

[BrianM]

It'll be interesting if this is where Luke is felt that he has outstayed his welcome? When he agreed to do it for a second time, it was taken very positively and so they all went into that Ryder Cup fully focused and confident. But if there is a much wider opinion that he should have stepped down, and these questions started getting asked by the media, and appearing in the media, will it add a few percentage points to the doubts going into the event?

I wonder who would be the best candidate to be the next Ryder Captain, either the next one (if Luke was to step down) or the one after that. Rose at some point, but he keeps doing the goods as a player. Really disappointing Poulter is not in the conversation. LIV or not, he is definitely one of the few Mr Ryder Cup men

I wonder now things have ‘settled’ down, Poulter might be in consideration to be part of the back room team.
Could certainly do a lot worse.

 

[Neilds]

As with most jobs, people on here could do the job better than Luke so he should be removed from his position immediately

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I wonder now things have ‘settled’ down, Poulter might be in consideration to be part of the back room team.
Could certainly do a lot worse.

Don’t think he is a member of the tour so can’t be involved

I have no doubt the potential other captains would be fully behind Luke getting it again

 

[Imurg]

Personally speaking, Luke can have the Captaincy as long as he wants it.....
I think a 3rd time will be enough for him though.
Next time..?
You've got the Molinari Bros and Rosie standing in line.
Eddy and Frankie have been involved for a while now and Rosie's just about been there and done it too....

More interesting from my perspective is who will USA get to be Captain if Tiger doesn't want it..?

 

[Dingy]

While he has done a great job both times, it should be home and away then finished.

 

[slicer79]

I'm surprised Luke Donald stayed on. If Europe don't win in Adare it will take a little bit away from his 2 wins as captain. If he'd walked away now he would forever be remembered as an unbeaten captain and a Ryder cup legend.

He obviously has the energy and enthusiasm to go again so that must be admired too.

I'll be surprised if Tiger turns down the USA captaincy given his close links to Adare and JP McManus. Even at the height of his scandal he came over to play the pro am in Adare.

 

[Mel Smooth]

Luke Skywalker could captain the side in Ireland and we’d still win.

 

[IanM]

Luke Skywalker could captain the side in Ireland and we’d still win.

It'll be easy to guess.. if Tiger gets involved, they'll fancy their chances. If he doesn't, it means he thinks they've no chance.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Justin Rose next?

 

[slicer79]

Justin Rose next?

I would think so. I always thought he'd be the captain for Adare but that changed once he started playing so well over past couple of years.

 

[sunshine]

Justin Rose next?

Looks like it. So the molinaris will be overlooked

 

[irip]

I would think so. I always thought he'd be the captain for Adare but that changed once he started playing so well over past couple of years.

I thought Shane Lowry may of got it but like Rose he has managed to keep up decent form.
Last 3 holes Sunday excluded

 

[slicer79]

I thought Shane Lowry may of got it but like Rose he has managed to keep up decent form.
Last 3 holes Sunday excluded

I'm a big fan of Lowry but not sure I can ever see him as a captain.

 

[irip]

I'm a big fan of Lowry but not sure I can ever see him as a captain.

I think he would be great.
Certainly I think the players would enjoy playing for him.
And being in Ireland may of given him more of a chance
Reminds me of Darren Clarke in a lot of ways

 

[The Squirrel]

Yeah he was an obvious pick to go tu USA. We’d found a great captain who did a cracking job on Rome and away matches are REALLY hard so the top man on the job with experience behind him made total sense. And he did it to greatly enhance his personal standing.

What does he prove if he wins another? It’ll be a lesser achievement than winning away so doesn’t really add to his (currently outstanding) reputation, while a loss would reduce it. Hiding to nothing.

I guess he must simply love doing it

His age might be a factor too. Not competitive on main tours and funnily enough it’s exactly 2 years until he can get on the senior tour (he’s 48). Didn’t fancy being basically unemployed for two years…

 

[timd77]

I think I was kind of half expecting Luke to have another go, but hoped he would stand aside and maybe vice captain with Frankie.

I can only assume that Rose was next in line for a couple but his form means they wouldn’t want a Bradley situation. I also think the way forward is 2 cups regardless of the result… Harrington had such a bad side of the draw with it being away and no fans and the old guard still being around.

For what it’s worth, I don’t think Poulter would be a good captain. As great a player he was for us, I just feel the captain role is more suited to statesmen types rather than chest thumpers. Don’t imagine we’ll ever get to find out now anyway. In a similar way I’m not sure Rory will make a good captain, but I’m sure we will find that out!

 

[Slab]

Just a guess but maybe someone just said to him... ‘since its been offered, if you don’t take the gig, what will you be doing in Sept next year’ ?

a) He goes on his hols and doesn’t give it much thought
b) He sits at home and watches it on telly
c) He goes to watch in person but is ‘outside the ropes’ so to speak
d) He takes a VC role so still has every emotional high/low & tons to do but without being decision maker/bossman

Once a proper/official captaincy offer is on the table did he really have much choice?

 

[Swango1980]

Donald might as well keep doing it until he loses one. Otherwise, it will be a really tough gig to follow for the next captain

 

[Arthur Wedge]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029531092399652932

Ooops

 

[SteveW86]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029531092399652932

Ooops

Never up never in