Lehman puts faith in Pavin, Roberts

US captain Tom Lehman has named former team-mates Corey Pavin and Loren Roberts as assistant captains for the 2006 US Ryder Cup team.

Pavin, 45, and Roberts, 49, competed alongside one another on the 1995 US Ryder Cup Team at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.

Pavin, the 1995 US Open winner, also competed in 1991 and 1993 with a 8-5-0 match record while Roberts, beaten in a play-off by Ernie Els in the 1994 US Open, posted a 3-1-0 record in his sole appearance in 1995.

Lehman explained that the trust he has in the pair will be all-important in the heat of battle at The K Club in Co Kildare in September next year.

“Corey and Loren are close friends and contemporaries of mine,” he told www.pgatour.com.

“When the pressure is on, these are the guys I want around me. They have proven to be extremely tough competitors and have risen to the occasion numerous times in their careers.

“Corey’s record as a competitor is respected throughout golf. He’s one of the best pressure putters I’ve seen and his tenacity while a member of the US Ryder Cup team was inspirational.

“Loren built a reputation as a superb putter, which is a talent that is magnified in the Ryder Cup matches. He is also is a great competitor and will complement our overall preparations for the matches.”