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Ryder Cup 2025: Nicolas Colsaerts 'disappointed' to miss out on vice-captain role but gives backing to Luke Donald and Team Europe at Bethpage Black

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 3:38 GMT by Sky Sports
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Ryder Cup 2025: Nicolas Colsaerts disappointed by vice‑captain snub but backs Luke Donald and Team Europe

Belgian pro Nicolas Colsaerts admitted he was “disappointed” to be passed over for the vice‑captaincy of Europe’s 2025 Ryder Cup team – a role that will see the European squad take on the United States at Bethpage Black in New York – but he is pledging full support for new captain Luke Donald and the entire European contingent.

The statement came shortly after the European team’s leadership committee released the decision on 15 May, confirming that the post would go to former Ryder Cup champion Luke Donald, who has been named captain for the 2025 event. While the appointment was welcomed by many, it left several senior players – notably Colsaerts – on the sidelines in terms of leadership responsibilities.

“I was hoping for the vice‑captaincy and I understand the selection committee’s decision,” Colsaerts said. “It’s tough, but I’m backing the team and I’m excited to help the Europeans come back stronger next time.”

The vice‑captain’s role is not just ceremonial. In the lead‑up to a Ryder Cup, the captain and vice‑captain work together on team selection, pairings, strategy, and morale. Colsaerts – who has played in every European team since 2019 – pointed out that his experience on the Links could have provided useful insight. “I’ve been part of a winning squad; I know what’s needed to bring people together,” he added.

Luke Donald’s appointment

Luke Donald, a 2018 Ryder Cup winner as a player, was announced as captain on 13 May, just a week after the vice‑captain announcement. The former PGA Tour player has a long history of representing Europe – he played on the 2013 and 2018 winning squads – and his appointment is seen as a nod to a “deep‑rooted European” understanding of the competition.

Colsaerts praised Donald’s credentials and his ability to inspire. “Luke’s a great leader, he’s got experience and a calm approach that works,” he said. “He knows how to get the best out of the squad, and I’ll give him my full backing.”

The Sky Sports article also linked to Luke Donald's profile on the official Ryder Cup site, where fans can read about his playing career, his first European championship win in 2018, and the new captaincy responsibilities he now holds. The profile notes that Donald is the first former player from the 2013 team to be appointed captain for 2025, a role that will test his leadership in a tournament that has shifted from the traditional U.S. venues to a New York golf course.

Bethpage Black – the 2025 battleground

The 2025 Ryder Cup will be contested at Bethpage Black, a links‑style course that has been used for major championships, including the U.S. Open in 2013. The decision to host the event there was part of the United States Golf Association’s (USGA) push to bring the competition to more challenging courses in the U.S. The article linked to the official Ryder Cup 2025 page, which provides details on the course layout, the dates (9–12 August), and the format changes – including a new “team‑play” match that will be played on the last day.

Bethpage Black is known for its thick rough, large bunkers, and unpredictable wind conditions – factors that will test even the most seasoned professionals. Colsaerts, who has expressed admiration for the course’s “classic” feel, said that the Europeans will have to adjust quickly to the “different type of Links” compared to the previous years’ European venues in the UK and Ireland.

Europe’s prospects after a 2023 loss

Europe entered the 2025 Ryder Cup with a single loss under their belt, having lost to the United States in 2023 at Pinehurst. The European squad, however, still boasts a host of talent. In addition to Colsaerts and Donald, players such as Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Tommy Fleetwood are all expected to feature. The European side will rely on a mix of veteran experience and fresh legs to overturn the last result.

Colsaerts also referenced the importance of unity: “We’ll work together as a team, support each other, and bring the right mentality.” The article emphasised that even though Colsaerts was left out of the leadership chain, he sees it as an opportunity to focus on his play – a sentiment that many players feel in the build‑up to a Ryder Cup.

A call to the wider team

In the final paragraph, Colsaerts addressed the rest of the squad, urging them to stay focused and to put the “European” on the scoreboard. “We have an incredible squad,” he said, “and I’m proud to be a part of it. I’ll do my best on the course, and I’ll support Luke and everyone else in any way I can.”

The article concluded by highlighting that the European team’s next challenge will be to recover from the 2023 defeat, to adapt to a different type of course, and to rally behind a new captain – with Colsaerts promising to bring his best effort to the 2025 edition at Bethpage Black.