Two more years? Europe captain Donald not ruling out third term

As the celebrations go on in New York, Luke Donald says he won’t “rush into a decision” but that he won’t “hurt into a decision.”

Donald, 47, won a tense victory over the United States in New York, cementing his position as one of Europe’s greatest captains.

After Tony Jacklin in 1985 and 1987, he was the only European captain to win back-to-back Ryder Cup victories.

After performing it so well in Rome, Donald told BBC Sport from the European team’s Long Island hotel on Monday, “a lot of people questioned why I would do it a second time.”

“But I’ve checked both home and away boxes because that’s a different challenge.”

I’ll have to consider whether I do it again.

When the competition resumes at Adare Manor in Ireland on September 17 and 19, Europe will defend the trophy on its own soil in 2027.

Donald also mentioned:

Donald will become the first European captain to lead the County of County Limerick since Bernard Gallacher in 1995, if he is elected.

Before the 2023 edition, LIV defector Henrik Stenson was informed that he would not be permitted to take the role after a little over a year away from the Rome contest.

His players and thousands of supporters clamoured for the Englishman to be given another term after Donald won the home team a convincing victory.

The same refrain is repeated, “Two more years!” After a tenser-than-expected win, the Englishman reclaimed control of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage on Sunday.

During the team’s victory press conference, the players reverberated.

He remarked, “I’m very humbled and grateful that some of the players and fans were chanting two more years.”

I’ll never rule out doing it three times.

“Everything I do, I sit down and consider it in preparation. What are the costs, what are the goals, and what are the challenges?

I won’t make such a quick decision today. Just enjoy this one, I say.

If Donald does not step down, Justin Rose, who played in Bethpage, has been hailed as a potential replacement, and Francesco and Edoardo, two of Donald’s vice-captains, could be replacements if Europe chooses to advance from within.

As Jon Rahm and Shane Lowry both warned on Sunday, who takes over has a difficult task ahead.

It’s like trying to follow [Manchester United’s] Sir Alex Ferguson into the dressing room. “Lowry told reporters in the paper.

Over the past 12 years, we’ve seen how that has changed. It will be very difficult to fill, in my opinion.

A New York crowd, who had been subjected to intense verbal abuse, was the scene of Europe’s victory.

Tom Watson, the eight-time major champion who twice led the US team in 1993 and 2014, said he was embarrassed by the chaotic scenes.

Our American audience at Bethpage has shown me some crude and mean-spirited behavior, said 76-year-old Watson.

Rory McIlroy, the most famous American talisman, was the main target, and his wife Erica was hit by a beverage cup that swung from one of the stands.

McIlroy claimed that the volume of the personal insults was unacceptable after winning on Sunday.

Any arrests and ejections that occurred over the weekend have been reported to New York State Police, according to information obtained by BBC Sport.

Donald, who praised police officers for handling a tense situation, said, “The behavior needs to be discussed and addressed.

The “the odd people who shout,” “I don’t know how you rein it in. It’s challenging.

“We would love to just play,” said the US team, who made an effort to quieten the crowd.

“Many Americans were reaching out to tell their fans how embarrassed they were of some of their fans. You can control it, but it was a small subset.

Although Watson expressed his gratitude on social media, the US team has not yet issued an official apology.

Donald thanked Keegan Bradley and his players for challenging the crowd with respect, but he also thanked Donald.

Donald responded, “I believe the Americans were acting correctly.

They are aware that they want the crowd to support them but not to be vile toward us.

Most people expected a straightforward gallop over the line with Europe holding a record 1112-412 lead going into the Sunday singles.

Instead, the Americans faced a threat to halt their biggest comeback in Ryder Cup history by putting pressure on the hosts.

As thousands of European fans gathered at Bethpage to celebrate with Donald and his jubilant players pouring champagne from their winning press conference and putting green in the air, the relief was palpable.

The team hotel’s families, caddies, and other backroom staff continued to celebrate after the party.

The American contingent was having a separate function at the same hotel.

Donald continued, “It was the most stressful day of my life on a golf course,” adding that he finally had a few glasses after going teetotal in the build-up.

He said, “I thought Rome was stressful, but that beat it quite a bit.”

I once predicted that we would score 20 points before I predicted a loss.