Bolton has officially launched a renewed and ambitious bid to host the prestigious Ryder Cup in 2035, with the goal of bringing the celebrated golf tournament back to English soil for the first time in over three decades. The last time England staged the Ryder Cup was in 2002, making this a significant effort to end a prolonged drought for the nation.
Major Infrastructure Investment Announced
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has unveiled a substantial infrastructure funding package designed to bolster Bolton's candidacy. This comprehensive plan includes a crucial £70 million link road connecting the M61 and M6 motorways, which is intended to support the development of a purpose-built, world-class golf course at Hulton Park.
Mayor Burnham emphasised the critical importance of these improvements, stating: "We've had promising conversations about bringing the tournament to a bespoke, world-class course at Hulton Park, but it will only be possible with the right infrastructure." This investment directly addresses previous concerns over transport and infrastructure that contributed to the failure of Bolton's earlier bids for the 2026 and 2031 Ryder Cup editions.
Competition and Credibility of the Bid
Bolton faces stiff competition from other UK venues, including the London Golf Club in Kent and Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire. However, local officials are framing this latest push as more credible and robust, thanks to the significant financial backing and strategic planning now in place. The funding package is seen as a game-changer that could elevate Bolton's prospects against its rivals.
Future Ryder Cup Venues and Leadership
Looking ahead, the Ryder Cup schedule is already taking shape globally. Next year's tournament is set for Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland, followed by the 2031 event in Barcelona, Spain. On the American side, the next three US venues have been confirmed: Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota will host in 2029, The Olympic Club (Lake Course) in San Francisco, California, in 2033, and Congressional Country Club (Blue Course) in Maryland in 2037.
In terms of team leadership, Europe has already confirmed that Luke Donald will captain the side once again in 2027. Donald is aiming to complete a historic three-peat after previous victories in 2023 and 2025. Meanwhile, Team USA has yet to name its captain, with speculation swirling that 15-time major winner Tiger Woods could be in line to lead the team.
Woods has not competed since 2024 following back surgery, but he is on a comeback trail and has not ruled out participating in next month's Masters tournament, adding an intriguing subplot to the broader Ryder Cup narrative.
