Justin Rose reveals stance on Ryder Cup captaincy after historic victory at Bethpage Black

Ben McCaffrey

By Ben McCaffrey


Published: 29/09/2025

- 19:21

Updated: 29/09/2025

- 20:03

The 45-year-old has been tipped to replace current captain Luke Donald should he decide not to continue

Justin Rose has made it crystal clear he'd absolutely love to captain Team Europe at the 2027 Ryder Cup, but the 45-year-old would miss "the battle" on the course.

The Englishman was brilliant at Bethpage Black, helping Europe secure a thrilling 15-13 victory over the Americans and their first win on US soil since 2012.


Rose formed an unstoppable partnership with Tommy Fleetwood in the fourballs, winning both their matches and hammering home 19 birdies across 36 holes together.

It turns out Luke Donald's future as captain remains up in the air, despite becoming just the second-ever to captain Europe to consecutive victories.

When asked about continuing after his second successful Ryder Cup, Donald remained diplomatic, saying "my answer is I'm going to enjoy tonight," ahead of the celebrations.

Justin Rose

Justin Rose has made it crystal clear he'd absolutely love to captain Team Europe at the 2027 Ryder Cup, but the 45-year-old would miss "the battle" on the course

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REUTERS

Rose was clear about his captaincy ambitions when speaking to talkSPORT in New York.

"Luke has been absolutely phenomenal," he said. "He's really given his heart and soul to this thing for four years now. He's left a seriously strong blueprint and has actually made it very daunting for the next guy.

"The European legends of the game have always said, play, play, play, play as long as you can, because they're the best days of your life.

"There's time for vice captains, there's time for captaincy. And when it's the right time, if I'm ever asked, oh my God, yes please. But I love being in battle."

Justin Rose

Justin Rose said 'Oh my God, yes please,' if he were ever to be asked to be Team Europe captain

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REUTERS

But Donald's historic tenure as Team Europe captain is far from over just yet, despite his refusal to confirm his future just yet.

There are many members of the team that are delighted with Donald and want the 47-year-old to continue on as captain. Spaniard Jon Rahm is certainly one of them.

"Luke has set the bar for captaincy so extremely high," Rahm said. "What he's done these four years of being a part of, is absolutely astonishing.

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Jon Rahm

Jon Rahm is delighted with Donald and wants the 47-year-old to continue on as captain

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REUTERS

"He has been so professional, so dedicated, so incredibly meticulous, and well organised and doing everything that he needs to do, and that's why you've seen the two performances you've seen from us."

Donald was labelled the "best European captain of all time" by USA counterpart Keegan Bradley, while world No2 Rory McIlroy described him as "incredible".

Speaking to Sky Sports, Team Europe adviser Paul McGinley explained the "logical" decision to keep Donald as captain.

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"Luke is not going to be 50 in two years' time, so his senior career will not have started then. So it is a logical thing [to consider being captain again]," he said.

"I've spoken to him about it and we agreed to put everything on hold. We wanted to have 100 per cent focus on Bethpage Black and getting over the line.

"It's a conversation for another day, in the next month. Let's just let everything die down, consider some things and take it from there."

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\u200bLuke Donald

Luke Donald became just the second person to captain Europe to consecutive victories, after Tony Jacklin in 1985

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REUTERS

While not captain for this historic triumph, Rose found himself at the centre of drama and controversy throughout this year's Ryder Cup.

During Saturday's fourball match against Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler, the former's caddie Gregory Bodine stepped into Rose's line of sight as he prepared to putt. Rose told Bodine to move before sinking his putt.

DeChambeau made his putt too, then confronted Rose and Fleetwood. The situation escalated as they walked to the 16th tee, with Scheffler's caddie Ted Scott, Fleetwood's caddie Ian Finnis and Francesco Molinari all getting involved in the heated exchange.

Justin Rose, Bryson DeChambeau

Justin Rose was involved in a heated exchange between Team USA and Team Europe in the Ryder Cup on Saturday

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REUTERS

Rose wrapped up the match on the 16th hole. Afterwards, he explained: "It was a shame it got to that point as it was a great match."

Rose's singles match on Sunday also saw another bizarre moment when Keegan Bradley came sprinting over on the 13th hole.

The American captain intervened just as Rose was about to play from near a television tower, suggesting he was taking his shot from the wrong spot.

The incident seemed to fire up Rose, who battled back from three down to level the match heading to the 18th, though Cameron Young eventually won the point.