Former major champion Paul Azinger is expected to be named on Monday as the US Ryder Cup captain for the next match against Europe in 2008.
The 46-year-old, who won the 1993 PGA Championship at Inverness, is a veteran of four Ryder Cups as a player and known for his competitive, gutsy attitude.
His most likely captaincy challengers are former major winners Fred Couples and Corey Pavin. Azinger, however, has been widely tipped by the US media to get the verdict.
He played on triumphant US teams in 1991 and 1993 and was unbeaten in singles matches where his two victories came against Spanish heavyweights Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal.
Azinger won three of his 12 PGA Tour titles in 1993, a career-best year that ended on a bitter note for him when he was diagnosed with lymphoma in his right shoulder.
His successful fightback culminated in his most recent Tour victory at the 2000 Hawaiian Open.
Asked to comment on his captaincy credentials yesterday, Azinger said: "There has been a lot of speculation going on, and that's all I'm saying." The announcement of the US skipper will be made by the PGA of America on Monday at a news conference from Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, venue for the 2008 Ryder Cup.
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