Legends back new Ryder Cup captains

New Ryder Cup captains Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo have both been backed to continue the success enjoyed by Europe over the last four years.

Woosnam was today chosen to lead the team next year at the K Club in Ireland with his former Ryder Cup playing partner selected to be in charge for 2008 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

Three-time Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher believes the pair are the right choices and that such forward-planning is justified.

“The committee have thought long and hard about these decisions,” said Gallacher.

“It is unprecedented but under the circumstances, with the quality of the two candidates, I think it is right. They maybe feel Ian is more in touch with the present generation but they did not want it to be a snub to Nick Faldo.”

Gallacher, who won back the trophy at the third time of trying as captain at Oak Hill in 1995, offered a word of advice to Sam Torrance’s vice-captain in 2002.

“Ian will be very much aware of the fact the Americans will be determined to win it back in Ireland,” he told Sky Sports News.

“He has got to keep the players happy and experiment with his players in foursomes and fourballs before the event. You have to practise your formation and teams. I think Ian will learn that and it is probably one of the many things he has learned from Sam Torrance.

“I think the Irish factor will be very important. Ian may think someone like Des Smyth (the former Ryder Cup player who has been tipped for a backroom role) will play an important part.”

On Faldo Gallacher added on Sky Sports News: “Nick will prepare the team in a different way, he is very thorough.”

Irishman Christy O’Connor jr, another former Ryder Cup player, also welcomed the appointments but called for greater representation for Ireland – who are yet to provide a Ryder Cup captain.

“Ian has been there and done it. I think he will make a great captain – as will Nick,” he said.

“However, I think there should be an Irish captain at some stage. We’ve never had an Irish captain and we’ve only had one Ryder Cup where an Irishman has not been on the team – we have played our part in the competition.

“An Irishman in some part of the team [at the K Club] will be nice. An Irishman helping in some capacity would be a benefit to the captain.”