Two major champions in line to replace Luke Donald as Ryder Cup captain

Justin Rose and Francesco Molinari have been installed as early favourites to replace Luke Donald as the next European Ryder Cup captain, GolfMagic understands. 

News emerged on the DP World Tour this week that Rose and Molinari will go head to head as playing captains in the second edition of the biennial Team Cup from 10-12 January 2025. 

The 2025 Team Cup will take place on the National Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort. 

Related: Justin Rose drops incredible Ryder Cup story: "Chaos! It was terrible..."

Molinari, 41, skippered Continental Europe to victory in the 2023 Team Cup with a four-stroke victory over Tommy Fleetwood's Great Britain & Ireland.

Rose, 44, will now takes the reigns from Fleetwood as he gets set for his first-ever captaincy in a team event on the DP World Tour. 

The two major champions and European Ryder Cup heroes will lead their respective teams of 10 DP World Tour members in a three-day matchplay contest.

Current European Ryder Cup captain Donald, 46, will preside over proceedings in the United Arab Emirates, just as he did in 2023. 

Donald was the captain of the victorious 2023 European Ryder Cup team at Marco Simone in Rome, and the former World No.1 will once again lead the team away from home at Bethpage Black in September 2025.

Unlike last year's Team Cup where all players were 'captain's picks', the 2025 Team Cup will see teams comprise of the leading four available Continental Europe and GB & Ireland members from the final 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings, with the five remaining players on each side being selected by Rose and Molinari in consultation with Donald.

The Team Cup has been created by the DP World Tour and Donald in a bid to not only provide players with greater team matchplay experience but to also help build bonds and partnerships with fellow members that could prove pivotal at future Ryder Cup matches. 

Players who competed in the 2023 Team Cup that went on to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup were Nicolai Højgaard and Sepp Straka (Continental Europe) and Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry and Robert MacIntyre (GB & Ireland). 

As in 2023, the teams will compete in matchplay across one session of fourballs on the Friday, two sessions of foursomes on the Saturday and one session of singles on the Sunday, with every player taking part in all four of the sessions. 

Each match will be worth one point, with the team crossing the 12.5 point mark winning the Team Cup.

Scroll down to hear from Donald, Molinari and Rose...

"I’m really pleased that the Team Cup is returning as it provided some invaluable experience for a lot of players last year," said Donald.

"I think all of us got a lot out of the week in terms of experiencing the uniqueness of a team environment.

"It also helped everyone involved to understand, through the past Ryder Cup captains who came and spoke to the players during the event, just what it means to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup.

“I am delighted that Francesco and Justin will assume the role of captains. 

"We saw what Francesco was capable of when he led Continental Europe to a great victory in 2023 and Justin was inspirational both inside and outside the ropes at Marco Simone last year. I’m excited to see them go head-to-head."

Continental Europe captain Molinari said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to captain Continental Europe again and to try and successfully defend the Team Cup.

"It was a really special week in 2023 and was great to see players from so many different countries across the continent working towards one single goal. I have immense respect for Justin, he is a great competitor and going up against him and his team is a challenge I’m really relishing.”

Team GB & Ireland captain Rose said: “It’ll be strange going up against Fran in a match play competition rather than him being on the same side, but it’s something I am really looking forward to, even though I know it will be tough given Fran’s history not just in this contest but in the Ryder Cup too. 

"But there is so much exciting talent from Great Britain & Ireland on the DP World Tour right now – it will be great to have the chance to try and mould them into a winning team.”

Following this week's update on the Team Cup, we have had it confirmed from one leading bookmaker that both Rose and Molinari are now the early frontrunners to assume the European Ryder Cup captaincy at Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027. 

GolfMagic has also been told by one source that it will be 'highly unlikely' Donald takes on the captaincy for a third straight Ryder Cup in 2027.

But much will depend on the Europeans performance over in New York. 

Our source with links to the Ryder Cup considers 'Rose and Molinari now have a golden opportunity to prove themselves as worthy replacements to Donald as the next European Ryder Cup captain, with Molinari getting another crack to prove his worth having won the Team Cup in 2023.' 

Tiger Woods is understood to be a strong favourite to take the captaincy for the 2027 United States Ryder Cup team, especially having turned down the offer by the PGA of America for 2025. 

Fans are now able to register for free general admission tickets for the 2025 Team Cup, with Premium Experience options also available in The Trophy Lounge here. 

There will be a host of activities for all the family in the Championship Village, with food outlets, picnic areas and live entertainment.

For those seeking an elevated day at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort, the Premium Experience option is also available. 

Guests can enjoy five-star catering in a relaxed environment, inside the airconditioned clubhouse or on the shaded viewing terrace. 

Breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea are provided in addition to a beverage package of hops, grains and soft beverages.

For more information on General Admission and Premium Experience tickets, click here.