RYDER CUP/News: For a long time, Bernhard Langer clung on to the belief that he was not yet ready for the Ryder Cup captaincy, that he still had much to offer on the course as a player, rather than off it as the man providing the inspiration.

His role in assisting Europe in retaining the trophy at The Belfry last September, his 10th appearance, seemed only to fuel his hunger for more competitive action in the match.

Yesterday, though, the 45-year-old German conceded to what was increasingly inevitable - after the European Tour's Tournament Committee unanimously selected him for the captaincy in Detroit next year - and he formally agreed to take on the role.

"I think I am ready for the job," said Langer, after the announcement was made.

One man who was upset at the manner in which the announcement was made, however, was Ian Woosnam, who was actually midway through his first round in the Irish Open. It was only on completing the round that the Welshman - who had also applied for the post - was informed Langer had been named as captain in succession to Sam Torrance.

"Bernhard will make a great team captain and is perfect for the job. He has done a lot in the United States and I wish him the best," said Woosnam, before adding: "I would have liked to have been told . . . as far as I was concerned, I knew there was a meeting but I didn't think the captaincy was on the agenda.

"To tell you the truth, myself and Bernhard talked about the captaincy and we felt it would be good for him to do it in Detroit and for me to do it the next time (at the K Club). I was hoping there would be a double announcement, but they've obviously decided not to do that. I am disappointed at that."

The decision not to make a double announcement means the captaincy for 2006 in Ireland is still very much up in the air - apart from the Irish candidates Des Smyth, Eamonn Darcy and Christy O'Connor Jnr, others to express interest in the post include Woosnam, Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie.

But Langer's decision to accept the post for Oakland Hills was generally greeted with warmth.

Sandy Lyle, another contender for the position in Detroit, said: "I thought it would be Bernhard, that was the whisper and he is probably the best man. He is highly rated by the players, is very methodical and will leave no stone unturned. He'll cover all the angles."

Langer, a two-time US Masters champion, has played in 10 Ryder Cup matches - on the winning team on five occasions - and was requested to confirm his availability for the captaincy by the time of the British Open in Sandwich.

"There's still a bit of life left in me as a player, but it is difficult to know what the future holds. In one way I would have loved to try to make the team again, but I took the decision to stand. I have a lot of experience in the Ryder Cup. I believe I am a hard-worker, someone who doesn't give up. I look for solutions to problems and then face them head-on.

"The Ryder Cup has become one of the biggest events in the whole of sport and I've seen for myself that captains are exhausted by the time it is over. I've come to realise there is no way you can play and captain . . . I will be giving the job 100 per cent."