Luke Donald has named Irishman Pádraig Harrington as his third vice-captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup, which will be played at Adare Manor in Limerick, Ireland, from 13-19 September 2027.
Harrington joins the Molinari brothers, Edoardo and Francesco, in Donald’s backroom team for next year’s contest, as Team Europe seeks a third-consecutive Ryder Cup victory following wins at Marco Simone in 2023 and Bethpage Black in 2025.
The three-time major champion, one of Ireland’s most decorated and popular sporting heroes, was a player in the only previous Ryder Cup to be played in his home country in 2006.
PLAYED IN SIX
He represented Europe six times in total as a player - including being part of four triumphs – and was previously a vice-captain on three occasions before becoming captain for the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.
Harrington therefore adds further experience to Team Europe, as well as strong knowledge of Adare Manor, the host venue for the 100-year anniversary edition of the biennial contest.
“Luke and I arranged to meet up at The Open and chatted about it, and we felt we could strike up a good team again,” said Harrington.
“Obviously, he was my vice-captain (in 2021), and we have worked together as vice-captains in the past. And certainly, I feel I've something to give.
“Luke has a very strong team around him already and he felt that we would work well together.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT
“It's something I didn't expect. I honestly didn't think I'd ever wear the European Ryder Cup logo again. So I'm very happy to be part of it. The Ryder Cup has been a special part of my life. Representing Europe has always been one of the highlights of my golfing career, and to be able to do it again in this situation, especially in Ireland, is special.
“You wouldn't want to miss out with it being in Ireland, so I’m very pleased.
“I think it will be a spectacular occasion and one of the great sporting events to be played in the country. The whole of Ireland will be behind it, watching it, enjoying it, and living it.
“The fans are going to be fantastic, and I think the atmosphere will be second to none.
“It's a big occasion for JP (McManus, owner of Adare Manor). He loves to give back to his local community all around Limerick. Adare is just a beautiful place to be and to host a Ryder Cup there adds so much.
"Next year will really showcase golf and hospitality in Ireland. I think it will be one of the great sporting occasions and anybody who gets the chance to travel there will really have the time of their life.”
IRISH CONNECTION
Donald said, “Pádraig is someone I thought about quite a lot, especially with it being in Adare. He has a special relationship with JP (McManus) and a connection to the fans, which I think is important.
“I've been around Pádraig in many Ryder Cup team rooms, as a player, as a vice-captain to his captaincy, and he's been a vice-captain before in the past as well. So he brings a wealth of experience, and I do love the fact that there's a connection. He understands the Irish crowds and all that goes with having a Ryder Cup in Ireland. I think it's going to be very special for him.
“He's loved in Ireland with what he's achieved in the game, and that will only bring more energy to our team. We'll get the fans even more behind us, and you know I think that can only be a good thing. I’m very excited to have his expertise.
“He's a deep thinker. I think he's quite different to a Francesco or even an Edoardo. He's a little bit more extroverted. He's going to challenge me. He's going to think about things in different ways and give me things to think about. I think that's a great balance between the Molinari brothers and Pádraig.
“Like anyone who's a part of this team, they truly care deeply about what the Ryder Cup is and what it represents. Pádraig is someone that loves the Ryder Cup, and he's going to put a lot of effort into this. He is still very well known.
"He's out there competing at the highest level in Major Championships and DP World Tour events. He's very familiar to all the players. They know who he is, and he has so much experience in the Ryder Cup as well. So, it just seemed like a very natural fit to have Pádraig as part of our team.”
EVER PRESENT
Harrington made his Ryder Cup debut at The Country Club in Brookline in 1999 and was ever-present for the next five editions, helping Europe to victory in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010. He contributed a total of 10½ points to the European Team during that period.
He was named as vice-captain for the first time by fellow Dubliner Paul McGinley for the victory at Gleneagles in 2014, a role he returned to in 2016 at Hazeltine National under Darren Clarke and in 2018 for the victory at Le Golf National in Paris under Denmark’s Thomas Bjørn.
Harrington then led Team Europe at the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, which was postponed by 12 months due to the Covid pandemic in 2020.
HALL OF FAME
The former World Golf Hall of Fame member secured his first Major in The 2007 Open at Carnoustie, defeating Sergio Garcia in a play-off. He successfully defended the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale the following year and became the first European to win back-to-back Majors when he added the 2008 US PGA Championship at Oakland Hills a few weeks later.
He has won 44 times across the world, including 15 times on the DP World Tour, finishing as the No 1 player in 2006. Since turning 50 in 2021, he has continued to compete on the DP World Tour and in Majors while extending his global success into the senior ranks. His 12 PGA TOUR Champions victories include three US Senior Open titles (in 2022, 2025 and 2026) and the ISPS Handa Senior Open in 2025.