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Paul Azinger rules out captaincy return but open to advisory role for 2027 Ryder Cup

Originally posted on HITC | By Peter Lynch | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 10:26 AM ET

American Ryder Cup attention has shifted quickly to Adare Manor following their loss at Bethpage Black, and there’s already plenty of debate about who should lead the team next.

The 2027 Ryder Cup will be held at Adare Manor, and there’s growing speculation that Luke Donald could return as captain for Europe on home turf.

Donald led Team Europe to victory in Rome in 2023, then backed it up with another win at Bethpage Black earlier this month.

While Donald has been praised for his leadership following the win in New York, Bradley has faced a wave of criticism after the defeat.

Mickelson won’t be replacing Bradley as captain, but it does feel like an open door right now. The European team was led by Darren Clarke, while Davis Love III was at the helm for the Americans. And now it remains to be seen if Mickelson wants to take on a similar role.

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Tiger Woods is also not in the mix, and now Paul Azinger, who has held the role before, has addressed the topic.

He told Golf’s Subpar: “Would I be the captain? No. But if I could be more of an advisor, maybe. But nobody has really asked much of my opinion at the PGA of America since I was captain.

Paul Azinger gives his thoughts on not being asked to return as US Ryder Cup captain

Azinger has an excellent record as US Ryder Cup captain, leading his team to victory in 2008. He got the better of Nick Faldo at Valhalla Golf Club, where the USA beat Europe 16.5-11.5.

Unlike Donald this year, Azinger wasn’t brought back for a second stint. Speaking about that, he said: “It took me a minute to realise that I wanted to do it.

“I called them and said ‘Hey I want to carry the flag to Europe’, and they said there are more captains than there are Ryder Cup.

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“I said I’ll do it. I will take the risk. Now I am the winning captain. So it would have been a big risk to do it again.

“Same for Luke, it would have been a big risk. But Luke is going to take the challenge. I think go to the well until the well runs dry.

“Who is next in line other than Luke? [Lee] Westwood left, [Graeme] McDowell left. These are Ryder Cup legends.”

The European leadership role remains undecided, but Jon Rahm has voiced support for Donald staying on through 2027.

The Americans may also need to rethink their approach after losing on home soil, though Bradley hasn’t been ruled out of another shot at success in Ireland just yet.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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