ABU DHABI: Ireland’s Paul McGinley has been appointed captain of Europe’s Ryder Cup team for the biennial match against the United States next year, the Players’ Committee said yesterday.
The 46-year-old, who holed the winning putt in the 2002 match at The Belfry, edged former skipper Colin Montgomerie in a vote taken by the 15-man committee in Abu Dhabi.
“This is a position I’m really thrilled to be in. It’s also a very hunbling experience and I can’t wait to get into the role of captain and to working with the players,” he told a news conference
McGinley replaces Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal.
The Irishman has twice been a vice-captain, to Montgomerie in Wales in 2010 and to Olazabal two years later.
McGinley served his apprenticeship as a skipper when he led Britain and Ireland to victory over Continental Europe in the Seve Trophy team event in 2009 and 2011.
He played in three Ryder Cup comeptitions, from 2002-2006, and was triumphant on each one.
REUTERS
