German Bernhard Langer will captain the European team in next year's Ryder Cup against the United States.
The 45-year-old, a veteran of ten Ryder Cups as a player, was chosen ahead of Britons Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle to lead the defence of the trophy Europe won last year under the captaincy of Sam Torrance at The Belfry, England.
"It's a fabulous honour to be named European captain," Langer said in a statement on Thursday. "I've never made a secret of how much I enjoy being part of the Ryder Cup and to be the captain makes me feel very proud, especially as the first German golfer to hold this prestigious role."
Hal Sutton will captain the U.S. team for the match at Oakland Hills, Michigan from September 17-19, 2004.
Langer won 3 1/2 points out of four to help Europe win the 2002 Ryder Cup, beating Sutton in the singles.
Reuters