Justin Rose knows his time to become European Ryder Cup captain is closer than ever.
The former US Open champion will make his seventh start in the matches against America this month, at the age of 45 and 26 wins deep into a stellar career.
His former teammate Luke Donald is leading Europe as captain in 2025, as he did in 2023. Donald’s reappointment was music to the ears of fans and players alike, with his popularity too much to ignore.
His return also remedied a headache Team Europe might have felt in finding an oven-ready leader, that A: was a suitable fit, and B: had his best playing days behind him.
Rose ticks the first box but not the last, shown by his sustained capability to beat the best players at the best events, like at the FedEx St Jude Championship in August.
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Justin Rose: ‘It might be a good time for me’ to become Ryder Cup captain
“I don’t know. It’s an interesting time for Europe and this is not me out of the equation,” Rose told the NCG Golf Podcast, when asked how far we are from his captaincy.
“Luke has done two. I don’t think there’s a natural, ready-made, perfect-timing captain in the wings.
“That might be me, that might be a good time for me. It might be a terrible time for me because the captaincy isn’t in two years’ time, it’s actually in about four months’ time.
“That is the thing to remember. That’s the thing I’ve got to remember going forward. That’s what Luke has shown all of us, is how big a role it is and how much hard work it is. It’s not like, ‘OK, a month before, right boys, how are we all playing? What do we think about pairings?’
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“That’s maybe how it was once upon a time. Luke has been like a CEO for three years now. He’s been very impressive.”
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Two of Donald’s vice-captains for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage are Thomas Bjorn and Jose Maria Olazabal. They have already been captains, winning ones. Francesco Molinari’s time might come eventually, but his brother Edoardo Molinari seems dedicated to Europe’s statistics-led department, and perhaps not destined to sit in head office.
These names were somewhat pushed to the front of the queue after the emergence of LIV Golf. Henrik Stenson was removed as captain in 2023 for joining the Saudi-funded league, a precedent that makes it unlikely for Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell to ever lead Europe – despite distinguished years of service.
Rory McIlroy has ruled out being a playing captain at the 2027 Ryder Cup, which will be held at Adare Manor in Ireland. He will be desperate to perform at his peak in front of not just Team Europe’s home fans, but his home fans.
That is just another name that won’t stand in Rose’s way should he want to become the next captain. As for the 45th Ryder Cup in New York this month, the Englishman is confident in Europe’s chances of winning away from home for the first time since 2012.
“I’m optimistic about the team and we’re in a good spot going into it, so let’s see what happens. We never really feel like being out and out favourites suits us in a way,” Rose added.
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“We don’t go into it with that sort of pressure, we go into it like we are a collective group, legends have come before us, let’s give it everything.”
Now have your say?
What do you think of the Justin Rose Ryder Cup captain comments? Let me know at m.chivers@nationalclubgolfer.com and on X, and let us know what else we could talk about on The NCG Golf Podcast.
NOW READ: Would a Great Britain & Ireland team stand a chance of winning the Ryder Cup?
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