Luke Donald insists it’s going to be "very challenging" to complete a historic Ryder Cup threepeat and expects "new blood" in Team Europe at Adare Manor next September. Donald led Team Europe to a 16.5-11.5 victory in Rome in 2023 and a historic 15-13 success on away soil at Bethpage Black last year, with the former world No 1 now looking to become the first captain to win three consecutive Ryder Cups.

The year-long qualification campaign for the 2027 European Ryder Cup team begins at the Husqvarna British Masters this week, live on Sky Sports, with Donald excited to seeing how his team evolves over the next 12 months. "I always feel like when the qualification starts, it's sort of a reset for some of these players," Donald said. "Their goals change and suddenly they have an opportunity to earn Ryder Cup points and that's a pretty motivating thing for a lot of guys."

Donald added: "The home Ryder Cups feel more pressure. There's an expectation that you're meant to win and that brings its own pressure, then trying to win three in a row brings even more pressure. I think it's going to be a very challenging Ryder Cup, I honestly do. The home gives us a little bit of an advantage but the Americans are always very strong."

Team Europe took 11 of their 12-man line-up and four of the five vice-captains from their 2023 victory to New York in 2025, with Rasmus Hojgaard replacing twin brother Nicolai as the only player change, but Donald expects differences in the 2027 team. "I expect there to be some new blood this time," he said. England's Marco Penge is among those chasing a Ryder Cup debut next September.