The Ryder Cup may be over for now, but the ripples from Team Europe’s dramatic victory at Bethpage Black in late September 2025 continue to stir the golfing world. As fans still buzz about Shane Lowry’s heroics and Justin Rose’s enduring influence, the focus is already shifting toward the future—both immediate and long-term. With Adare Manor in Ireland set to host the 2027 edition, speculation abounds: who will captain the American squad, and could England soon welcome the Ryder Cup back to its fairways?
The aftermath of Europe’s triumph in New York has been anything but quiet. The U.S. team’s loss sparked a flurry of headlines, some of them less than flattering. Unfounded allegations of European players cheating surfaced, and Keegan Bradley, who captained the Americans, didn’t shy away from controversy. Bradley criticized the rule allowing injured players to sit out final-day singles—this, despite the Americans having used the same rule to their advantage at Kiawah Island in 1991. According to Golfshake’s Derek Clements, "Bradley insists that the rule has to change, conveniently overlooking the fact that the Americans used the same rule to their advantage when Steve Pate was supposedly injured at Kiawah Island in 1991."
Bradley’s own performance as captain has been scrutinized, too. While he was reportedly popular with his players, his gaffe at the opening ceremony—mixing up Justin Leonard and Justin Rose—raised eyebrows. Decisions on pairings, such as sending Collin Morikawa and Harris English out together in consecutive foursomes sessions, have also drawn criticism. Yet, despite these missteps, there’s talk of Bradley being considered for the 2027 captaincy. Other names in the mix include Stewart Cink, who was interviewed for the job but ultimately left in limbo, as well as Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson, and Jim Furyk—the latter remembered for presiding over a heavy U.S. defeat at Le Golf National.
One persistent challenge for the Americans is forging a sense of team unity. As Clements observes, the U.S. tends to excel in singles matches, where individual prowess reigns, but struggles to find cohesion in the team format. This has led to widespread debate over the ideal captain. Tiger Woods, a legend in his own right, is seen by some as an ill fit due to his reputation as a singular competitor. "Tiger Woods would surely be a disastrous choice as US Ryder Cup captain. His entire career was built on individual success. He would be the first to admit that he is a selfish individual who has struggled to buy into the team ethic," Clements writes.
If not Woods, then who? Fred Couples, long admired for his easygoing style and communication skills, is touted as a potential unifying force. "He remains one of the most popular figures in the game and is a wonderful communicator. There is no doubt in my mind that he would get the most from his players. But would he be bothered with the hassle? Probably not!" Clements muses. Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson has floated the most outlandish idea yet: appointing a coach from outside golf, perhaps from American football, basketball, or baseball. Mickelson name-dropped Mike Krzyzewski, the legendary Duke basketball coach, and Lou Holtz, the famed college football coach, as possible candidates. While European teams have occasionally sought motivational speeches from sports icons like Sir Alex Ferguson, the notion of an outsider actually running the team seems a bridge too far for most in the golf world.
As the debate rages stateside, Europe faces its own decisions. There’s a groundswell of support for Luke Donald to return as captain, having steered Europe to victory at Bethpage Black. Traditionally, European captains serve only once, but with a well-honed framework and the benefit of analytical data, some argue for continuity. "Europe has a blueprint and a framework in place now that is so embedded, so successful and so well-proven that I think it relieves the captain of a huge amount of pressure," Clements contends. Donald’s future remains undecided, but his legacy is already secure.
On the fairways, Shane Lowry’s star has never shone brighter. The Irishman, still riding high from his Ryder Cup exploits, delivered a jaw-dropping fluke shot at a recent DP World Tour event, drawing gasps from fans and competitors alike. After a seemingly wayward approach, his ball took a fortunate bounce, rolled toward the hole, and set up a tidy putt. Lowry, reflecting on the Ryder Cup win, was candid about the magnitude of the moment. "I was nervous, but I felt like this is where I belong. I’ve experienced some amazing things, but this is like…. I can’t believe it," he said. The day was doubly special for Lowry, as he revealed, "My brother had a baby boy today, as well. They will be sitting at home watching this, it’s unbelievable. My dad, he’ll drink a few beers tonight. He’ll be really happy."
Lowry’s passion for the Ryder Cup is unmistakable. "This is the best team in the world. I don’t care what anyone says. This is the best tournament in the world. This is the only thing I want to do for the rest of my life," he declared. By sinking a decisive putt at Bethpage Black, Lowry joined the ranks of Irish legends like Christy O’Connor, Philip Walton, Padraig Harrington, and Paul McGinley. "You think back to the Irish greats in the game, they have all holed putts to win the Ryder Cup, and I got my moment today. It’s the best day ever." At 38, Lowry sees the Ryder Cup as his passion, and his infectious enthusiasm has made him a fan favorite across Europe.
Rory McIlroy, another pillar of the European team, is wasting no time returning to action. The Northern Irishman is teeing it up in India for his first post-Ryder Cup appearance, as the DP World Tour enters the final stretch of the Race to Dubai. McIlroy currently leads the standings and is poised to claim a record-extending seventh season-long title, and his fourth in a row. His globetrotting schedule underscores his status as one of the game’s most consistent and ambitious stars.
Looking further ahead, Justin Rose is playing a pivotal role in a bold new project that could reshape the Ryder Cup’s future in England. The former world No. 1 is at the heart of a $226 million redevelopment at the Luton Hoo estate in Bedfordshire, aiming to create the "Augusta of Europe." The revamped course, designed with input from Rose and nine-time major winner Gary Player, is part of a bid to bring the Ryder Cup back to England for the first time since 2002. The project, led by European Golf Design and backed by Arora Group, Accor, and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, is already underway, with the estate closed for two and a half years of refurbishment. Surinder Arora, the group’s chief, is bullish: "It was always my dream to create the Augusta of Europe. Work has started and we have chosen contractors Atlantic Golf Construction, external from Ireland and they also built Adare Manor, which is where the next Ryder Cup is so we are not skimping anywhere."
Rose, who has played in seven Ryder Cups and was part of Europe’s victorious squad at Bethpage Black, is widely tipped for a future captaincy. By 2035, when Luton Hoo hopes to host the event, Rose will be 55—making a playing role unlikely but a captaincy on home soil a tantalizing prospect. The Ryder Cup’s next stops are Adare Manor in 2027, Hazeltine in 2029, and Camiral in Spain in 2031, but the groundwork for England’s bid is already being laid.
The Ryder Cup’s unique blend of team spirit, national pride, and golfing excellence ensures that every edition brings new drama and fresh storylines. As the dust settles from Europe’s latest victory and the next chapter takes shape, fans can only wonder: who will lead the teams, and where will the next legends be made? One thing’s for sure—the anticipation is already building.
