love named ryder cup captain

Davis Love III has been appointed captain of the United States team for the 2012 Ryder Cup.

The 46-year-old has played in six Ryder Cups and he has been chosen to mastermind winning back the trophy the US lost to Europe in October 2010.

Love was a vice-captain to Corey Pavin during the defeat by one point at Celtic Manor in Wales.

The next and 39th Ryder Cup will take place in Medinah near Chicago in September 2012.

“To make one Ryder Cup team would make your career,” said Love, who won the US PGA championship in 1997. “To make a few of them is a blessing.

“And to get to be an assistant captain was one of the highlights of my career, to be a part of the team from the inside and watch the players play.

“It is going to be an even bigger thrill for me to lead a team, to watch our team, the United States team, try to win the Ryder Cup back here in Medinah.”

When asked how proud his late father, who he lost in a plane crash in 1988, would be of his appointment, Love was moved to tears in the news conference announcing his captaincy.

“This is a thrill I never thought I would have and I would love to share it with him,” said Love.

Love made his Ryder Cup debut at The Belfry in 1993 and, partnered with Tom Kite, beat Spanish duo Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal 2 & 1 in the opening foursomes.

He also beat Italian Costantino Rocca in the singles to secure the decisive point in a victory for the Americans.

However, of the following five Ryder Cups he played in, Love only tasted victory again in 1999 in Brookline. His overall record in the Ryder Cup is nine wins, 12 losses and five draws, for a total of 11.5 points from 26 matches in the competition.

His appointment comes after Olazabal was named captain of the European Ryder Cup team on Monday and Love is keen to focus on more of the man-management his role will incorporate.

“My main mission is to get the players prepared for Friday morning,” he said. “What we have been missing is getting over the nerves of being ready to play on the biggest stage.

“We’ve just tried too hard and I’ll be trying to get the players as relaxed and freed up as I can.

“I am a players’ captain and I’m going to get them what they need to be successful.

“I’m not going to tell the best players in the world how to play golf. I’m going to let them show their talents.”