<p>Padraig Harrington. Picture: Getty Images</p>
Pádraig Harrington has been named by European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald as his third vice-captain for the 2027 clash with the USA at Adare Manor.
The Dubliner (55 next month) joins the Molinari brothers, Edoardo and Francesco, in Donald’s backroom team for next year’s contest as Team Europe seeks a third consecutive Ryder Cup victory.
“Luke and I arranged to meet up at The Open and chatted about it, and we felt we could strike up a good team again,” said Harrington.
“Obviously, he was my vice-captain (in 2021), and we have worked together as Vice Captains in the past. And certainly, I feel I've something to give.
“Luke has a very strong team around him already, and he felt that we would work well together.
“It's something I didn't expect. I honestly didn't think I'd ever wear the European Ryder Cup logo again. So I'm very happy to be part of it.
“The Ryder Cup has been a special part of my life. Representing Europe has always been one of the highlights of my golfing career, and to be able to do it again in this situation, especially in Ireland, is special.
“You wouldn't want to miss out with it being in Ireland, so I’m very pleased.
“I think it will be a spectacular occasion and one of the great sporting events to be played in the country. The whole of Ireland will be behind it, watching it, enjoying it and living it.
“The fans are going to be fantastic, and I think the atmosphere will be second to none.
“It's a big occasion for JP (McManus, owner of Adare Manor). He loves to give back to his local community all around Limerick. Adare is just a beautiful place to be and to host a Ryder Cup there adds so much.
“Next year will really showcase golf and hospitality in Ireland. I think it will be one of the great sporting occasions and anybody who gets the chance to travel there will really have the time of their life.”
Harrington was a player when theRyder Cup was first played in Ireland in 2006.
He represented Europe six times as a player, winning four times, and was previously a Vice Captain on three occasions before becoming Captain for the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.
“Pádraig is someone I thought about quite a lot, especially with it being in Adare,” Donald said. “He has a special relationship with JP (McManus) and a connection to the fans, which I think is important.
“I've been around Pádraig in many Ryder Cup team rooms, as a player, as a Vice Captain to his captaincy, and he's been a Vice Captain before in the past as well.
“So he brings a wealth of experience, and I do love the fact that there's a connection. He understands the Irish crowds and all that goes with having a Ryder Cup in Ireland. I think it's going to be very special for him.
“He's loved in Ireland with what he's achieved in the game, and that will only bring more energy to our team. We'll get the fans even more behind us, and you know I think that can only be a good thing.
“I’m very excited to have his expertise. He's a deep thinker. I think he's quite different to a Francesco or even an Edoardo.
“He's a little bit more extroverted. He's going to challenge me. He's going to think about things in different ways and give me things to think about. I think that's a great balance between the Molinari brothers and Pádraig.
“Like anyone who's a part of this team, they truly care deeply about what the Ryder Cup is and what it represents. Pádraig is someone that loves the Ryder Cup, and he's going to put a lot of effort into this.
“He is still very well known. He's out there competing at the highest level in Major Championships and DP World Tour events. He's very familiar to all the players. They know who he is, and he has so much experience in the Ryder Cup as well. So, it just seemed like a very natural fit to have Pádraig as part of our team.”
Harrington made his Ryder Cup debut at Brookline in 1999 and played in the next five editions, helping Europe to victory in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010, contributing 10.5 points.
He was one of Paul McGinley’s vice-captains at Gleneagles in 2014 as well as for Darren Clarke's at Hazeltine in 20-16 and for Thomas Bjørn in Paris 2018.
He won three Majors during his career —The Open at Carnoustie in 2007 and Royal Birkdale the following year before adding the 2008 US PGA Championship at Oakland Hills a few weeks later.
He has won 44 times worldwide and, since turning 50 in 2021, added 12 PGA TOUR Champions victories, including three US Senior Open titles in 2022, 2025 and 2026 and the ISPS HANDA Senior Open in 2025.
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