Langer gets Woosnam’s vote

IAN WOOSNAM said yesterday he is perfectly happy to see Bernhard Langer named as Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain — if he could do the job in Ireland in 2005.

“I would rather see maybe Langer do it this next time because I think it would be perfect in America,” said the 45-year-old Woosnam, who threw his name into the hat after serving as Sam Torrance’s deputy at The Belfry last September.

“I think I’d do a good job in Ireland. That would be perfect.

“But if I’m not going to be sort of guaranteed for three years’ time, I want to have a shot at doing it this time. I don’t want to be passed over in three years’ time.”

Woosnam, Langer and Sandy Lyle are the only known candidates so far, and the first two are said to be in favour of a “double ticket” arrangement.

This would mean that if one of them is named for 2003, he would hand over the job to the other, if he played his way into the team.

However, Langer said last week that whoever is named captain must commit themselves to the job.