Langer to continue playing

Scandinavian Masters: Bernhard Langer yesterday insisted becoming Europe's Ryder Cup captain did not spell the end of his playing career.

Langer was confirmed as the successor to Sam Torrance last week after 10 appearances as a player, one short of Nick Faldo's record.

And the veteran German intends following Torrance onto the lucrative Seniors Tour in America, but only after remaining competitive for a few years to come on the main tours in Europe and the United States.

"I'm not 100 per cent sure how much of my time will be necessary to be devoted to the Ryder Cup issues because it's my first time," Langer said.

"It will be a new challenge but hopefully I can still focus on my golf game as well and still have some time for my family. I don't envisage this to be taking over my life the next few months."

Langer, who admitted that he was surprised by the speed of his appointment, is in no rush to name his vice-captain.

"I will think about vice-captain and other help I might need in the next few weeks and months, there is no immediate rush to make that decision.

"The vice-captain would have nothing to do at this stage anyway so we've got lots of time."

Langer added: "If I am healthy and still enjoying my game I plan to play on the Seniors Tour so this is not the end of my career. I had a very good year in 2001, a very good last four or five months last year so I think there is still some life left in this body."

Langer, in Malmo preparing for the £1.3 million Scandic Carlsberg Scandinavian Masters which gets under way today, has played under five different captains since his Ryder Cup debut in 1981.

And the 45-year-old, who was undefeated in winning three-and-a-half points at The Belfry last September, plans to use a blend of all their expertise and experience when he leads the European team in defence of the trophy at Oakland Hills from September 17th-19th next year.

Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson is favourite to become the first home winner of the event since Jesper Parnevik in 1998 as it returns to the Barseback course in Malmo which will also host this year's Solheim Cup.

Jacobson has enjoyed a stunning season so far, winning twice in Europe and finishing fifth on his US Open debut and sixth in the Open championship at Royal St George's.

The 28-year-old currently lies eighth on the Order of Merit and at 30th is the highest player in the world rankings competing for the £225,000 first prize.

Next on the world rankings at 43 is last week's winner Michael Campbell, who ended a nightmare run of form with his play-off win at Portmarnock over Denmark's Thomas Bjorn and another Swede, Peter Hedblom.

Nick Faldo's run of competing in 65 consecutive majors has come to an end after he pulled out of next month's US PGA championship to stay at home with his wife and new-born daughter, his agents said yesterday.