Donald could skipper Europeans in Rome

The next European Ryder Cup captain could be Luke Donald as the 44-year-old Englishman has been supported by previous captain Padraig Harrington to lead the troops out in Rome.

Lee Westwood, another English player, was reportedly the front-runner before the 48-year-old ruled himself out of the captaincy race in November.

He said: “It’s almost a full-time job nowadays and that is something I can’t commit to while I’m in the top 50 and still competitive. The Ryder Cup is very close to my heart and I would only take on the role if I believe I could give it 100 percent.”

If Westwood is out of the equation, it would seem that Henrik Stenson would be in pole position for the role.

However, Donald has now emerged as the favourite to take up the captaincy.

The Englishman has played in the Ryder Cup on four occasions, most recently the “Miracle at Medinah” in 2012.

As a…