After Henrik Stenson's departure, LUKE DONALD was named Europe's Ryder Cup Captain.

Stenson was elected captain on March 15. However, his tenure was only 127 days. He was then fired for joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series.

Donald will now lead Europe in Rome next Year and is delighted to be given the honor.

He stated, "I am extremely proud to be named European Ryder Cup Captain for 2023."

It is an honor to be able to lead a team with your peers and act as an ambassador for a continent.

"I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been granted this responsibility, and it is one I don't take lightly.

"The Ryder Cup has been one of the most memorable experiences I have had in golf. I wouldn't trade those for anything." It's an unforgettable event and I can't wait to make more memories in Italy next year.

Donald was appointed just hours after Stenson, 46, earned PS3.5million for his LIV debut. The 46-year old won the individual event and finished second in the team competition at Trump National Golf Club.

Donald Trump Jr., the father of former US President Donald Trump, described it as "the greatest F/U ever in the history golf" and he owns the New Jersey course.

Donald was on the winning team in 2004, 2006 and 2010, 2010 and 2012, and was vice-captain of Thomas Bjorn's Paris win 2018.

The 44-year old's first defeat in the biennial contest was in the same role as Padraig Harrington at Whistling Strits last year when the United States won a record 19-9.

Five European team members have defected from the European team to LIV: Sergio Garcia (Le Westwood), Lee Westwood and Paul Casey; Ian Poulter, Bernd Wiesberger, and Brooks Koepka, Bryson deChambeau, and Dustin Johnson.

They have been suspended indefinitely from the PGA Tour. The trio are therefore ineligible to play in the Ryder Cup. It is not clear if the European rebels can qualify.

Members of the DP World Tour who participated in the inaugural LIV Golf event were penalized PS100,000. They were also banned from participating in the Scottish Open.

Following a hearing before Sport Resolutions UK (UK), days before play at the Renaissance Club got underway, Poulter and Adrian Otaegui were temporarily suspended from their punishments, while they await the outcome of their substantive appeals.

Poulter, Westwood, and Westwood are still eligible. Westwood will play in the Tour’s flagship event, Wentworth's BMW PGA Championship in September.