Europe finally set to reveal name of 2023 Ryder Cup captain

Europe’s captain for the 2023 Ryder Cup will be confirmed on Tuesday afternoon, with intrigue centring around whether Henrik Stenson has given sufficient assurances regarding the rejection of the Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway tour to beat Luke Donald to the post.

As The Guardian reported in December, Stenson and Donald have been the frontrunners to lead Europe’s bid to reclaim the trophy in Rome since Lee Westwood surprisingly withdrew his name from the captaincy race. Robert Karlsson and Paul Lawrie completed a four-man shortlist presented to a European Ryder Cup selection panel. There has always been the prevailing sense, though, that the role is Stenson’s to lose.

Stenson’s situation is however complicated by his close links with the Saudi proposal fronted by Greg Norman. The DP World – formerly European – Tour stands in direct opposition to the scheme. It has been an open secret in golf that Stenson, a former Open champion, would have to provide ongoing commitment to the DP World Tour before his captaincy status could be endorsed. The Swede is known to have held discussions with Keith Pelley, the DP World Tour’s chief executive, and the Ryder Cup director Guy Kinnings last week at the Players Championship. Should Stenson have suitably distanced himself from the Saudis during those talks, he will be the Ryder Cup captain.

Donald, a former world No 1, represented Europe in four Ryder Cups which all resulted in victories. He was a vice-captain for the 2018 Ryder Cup success in Paris.

The captain of the US team, as prevailed by a record margin at Whistling Straits last year, has already been confirmed as Zach Johnson.