McDowell joins Harrington as vice-captain for Ryder Cup team
GOLF GRAEME McDOWELL will join Pádraig Harrington on this year’s European Ryder Cup team as one of Thomas Bjorn’s vice-captains.
The Danish captain also named Lee Westwood and Luke Donald as his other two deputies at an announcement yesterday.
“It’s my first time being involved in the back-room staff for the Ryder Cup,” McDowell said. “I’ve a huge amount of respect for Thomas and all he’s accomplished in his career and I’m glad to have the opportunity to help Team Europe stop the US momentum.
“I’m excited to take on a slightly different view of things and help the 12 players be as ready as they can to regain this trophy.”
McDowell, who claimed the winning point at Celtic Manor in 2010, and Donald will make their debuts in the backroom staff at Le Golf National in Paris as Europe seek to regain the trophy following defeat at Hazeltine two years ago.
Westwood has played in the last 10 contests since making his debut in 1997 and was on the winning side seven times, while Harrington was vice-captain to Paul McGinley in 2014 and Darren Clarke in 2016.
Bjorn, who had already selected Sweden’s Robert Karlsson as a vice-captain, said: “All five are widely respected throughout the game, are all current players who are well known to the players who will be in our team come September and they also all possess a knowledge and understanding of what to expect from the golf course at Le Golf National too.
“You only need to look at the record books to see that their Ryder Cup pedigree speaks for itself.
“Each of them has played both home and away so they are well versed in the contest and know how to handle the special and unique atmosphere.”
The quartet could still qualify for the biennial contest which takes place from September 28-30, but Westwood (117th) is the only player currently ranked inside the world’s top 200.
Westwood and Harrington have also expressed an interest in the captaincy and could be rivals to succeed Bjorn and lead Europe in the 2020 contest at Whistling Straits.
Bjorn’s opposite number Jim Furyk has named Davis Love, Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker as assistants.