Why is Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola helping Team Europe at the Ryder Cup?

Martin Macdonald

• 25 Sep 2025 10:00 CDT
• 2 min read

News

Gianfranco Zola has explained exactly why he has wound up helping Team Europe at the Ryder Cup.

Some eyebrows were raised when the Chelsea legend was spotted in the official Team Europe phototgraph.

It was subsequently revealed that he will act as the official buggy driver for vice-captain, Francesco Molinari.

So, how did the trip to New York materialise?

"We are very good friends with Francesco. I think he had a problem with his caddie (buggy) so he asked me if I wanted to be his buggy driver," Zola told BBC Sport.

"So, I enthusiastically cancelled everything I was due to do and I’m here trying to help him.

"I’m a golf lover, obviously, and I would say, more than that, addicted to it.

"I’m very happy, I’m enjoying everything and I have to say, the atmosphere among the players, the vice-captains, the captain is great.

"It’s very good to live in it."

Zola is an avid golfer himself and has participated in various Professional-Amateur tournaments.

2018 Open Championship winner Molinari became acquainted with his compatriot back in 2009 after moving to London. He adopted West Ham as his football club of choice. The former Chelsea ace was manager of the Hammers at that time and helped his countryman settle in the UK capital.

After winning that major, the Italian explained: "When I moved to London I was looking for an English team to support.

"Zola was the manager. He is a good friend of mine and there was no other choice. He has moved on since but I have stuck with the Hammers."

The 2025 Ryder Cup will take place from 26th to 28th September at the Black Course of Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York, with Team Europe looking to retain their crown from 2023.