It’s back to square one for the European Ryder Cup team.
A little more than a year out from the next playing of the biennial event between the United States and Europe, the latter lost its captain when Henrik Stenson joined the Greg Norman-led and Saudi Arabia-funded LIV Golf Invitational Series. A five-time member of Team Europe, Stenson won the cup three times and boasts a 10-7-2 record.
Stenson’s announcement now raises the question: who’s next to step into the captaincy for the Euros? Ryder Cup stalwarts and LIV golfers Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Sergio Garcia are all most likely out of the question due to their status on the upstart circuit that’s long been criticized as a way for the Saudi government to sportswash its human rights record.
European legends like Bernhard Langer and Nick Faldo have most likely aged out of the role, so who does that leave? Here are some options for the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy.
Padraig Harrington
This has to be the easiest choice, right? Harrington was the captain last time out for the Euros when they lost in historic fashion to Team USA, 19-9, at Whistling Straits. The lopsided score aside, players respect Harrington, and in this chaotic time he could be the perfect man for the job.
Captain Padraig Harrington of Ireland and team Europe looks on prior to the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 21, 2021 in Haven, Wisconsin. (Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy
If it’s not going to be Harrington, make it McIlroy. The last playing captain was Arnold Palmer back in 1963. The Europeans have never used a player-captain, but when they were Team Great Britain, Dai Rees held the unique role in 1961.
The 2023 matches will be McIlroy’s seventh, tying him with the likes of Ian Poulter, Jose Maria Olazabal and Tony Jacklin. On top of his deep history in the competition at just 33 years old, McIlroy has been on the frontlines for the PGA and DP World tours in its struggle against the LIV Golf Invitational Series, and it would be fitting if he led the Europeans after they got stiffed by Stenson.
Europe’s Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy reacts during his foursomes match on the first day of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National Course at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, south-west of Paris on September 28, 2018. (Photo by Franck Fife/AFP/Getty…
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