GOLF:BUGGIN'S TURN, the tendency of unimaginative sports administrators everywhere, exerted its grip on the Ryder Cup yesterday when the PGA of America overlooked the claims of Paul Azinger and the wishes of the players he recently led to victory over Nick Faldo's Europeans, and named Corey Pavin as captain of the US side to defend the trophy in 2010 at Celtic Manor in Wales.

Pavin (49) won the US Open in 1995 and made his first Ryder Cup appearance as a player in 1991, when he infamously stepped on to the first tee at Kiawah Island wearing a camouflage baseball cap in "support" of US troops fighting the first Gulf war. He went on to compile an 8-5 winning record, establishing a reputation as a formidable competitor.

Pavin who served as an assistant captain to Tom Lehman at The K Club in 2006, had been a team member at The Belfry in 1993, his second of three consecutive Ryder Cup appearances.

He was also a winner in 1991 at Kiawah Island but lost on home soil in 1995 at Oak Hill, the year he won the US Open.

The Californian, who also won 15 times on the PGA Tour, had long been viewed as the US captain-in-waiting for 2010, although that was thrown into some doubt after Azinger's effort at Valhalla in ending Europe's long winning streak.

Almost to a man the victorious Americans publicly called for their leader to return and, after initially playing down such suggestions, Azinger appeared to warm to the idea. But the gathering momentum was finally dissipated this week when he announced "it is not going to be me".

So it proved. Only Ben Hogan, in 1947 and 1949, and Walter Hagen in the 1920s and 30s, have captained the US team in successive events and by giving the honour to Pavin the PGA of America maintains that exclusive club.

"I've been waiting for this day since I received the call last month," Pavin said yesterday. "I'm very excited to be here. In 1991 I played in my first Ryder Cup. Listening to the national anthem, experiencing the pressure for the first time, watching the last match between Hale Irwin and Bernhard Langer, and of course throwing captain Dave Stockton into the ocean, cemented my love for the Ryder Cup for ever. I knew I wanted to play as many as possible and dreamt of becoming captain one day. Today my dream has come true."

The new captain, who lobbied hard for the job, spending copious amounts of time shaking hands in the PGA of America hospitality area at Valhalla, offered his congratulations to his predecessor before outlining the challenge that lies ahead, as well as taking his first step into lucrative Ryder Cup commerce.

"Playing on foreign soil brings a whole new set of challenges; they will be able to set up Celtic Manor how they like and will have a passionate crowd on their side. I was proud to be part of the last winning team on foreign soil in 1993 and I encourage American fans to book tickets now to come and support us," he said.

Pavin added: "You know, going over there, it's going to be so different. In Louisville we had fans that were crazy cheering for the Americans. Going over there, we are going to have very pro-European crowd, and it's going to be tough."

Pavin paid tribute to his predecessor Azinger but insisted that while there may be similarities in their approaches, his 2010 team would be prepared and captained in very much his own style.

"I think Paul and I are similar in the fact that we love the Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup is in my blood. I think if you cut my arm open, Ryder Cup would just bleed out. It's the greatest event in the world, certainly the golf world."

With the US captaincy set, attention now turns to the identity of the European captain, where for the first time in many years there appears to be no clear favourite. The job would have gone to Jose Maria Olazabal but the Spaniard has stated he would prefer to travel to Wales as a playing member of the team, which leaves the likes of Sandy Lyle and the 2006 captain Ian Woosnam vying for the honour. Of the two Lyle appears to be favourite, although the cognoscenti are quietly talking up the claims of the hugely popular Miguel Angel Jimenez.