Great Dane gets 2018 nod

– Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn (above) was named as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain yesterday with the task of reclaiming the trophy from the United States at Le Golf National in Paris in 2018.

The 45-year-old, three times a player in the biennial contest, becomes the first Scandinavian to be handed the captaincy.

“We had terrific candidates. The three past captains were the key decision-makers in selecting Thomas,” European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said.

“They put a great case together ... we are thrilled to have one of the great Danes as our captain.”

Bjorn was an assistant to Darren Clarke at Minnesota’s Hazeltine National this year when the Americans ended a run of three successive defeats.

The Dane, also an assistant in 2004, 2010 and 2012, played in 1997 under Seve Ballesteros and in 2002 and 2014.

“I always wondered what that feeling would be like to head a team of 12 great players,” Bjorn said.

“Now it’s my turn to do it. To lead them out will obviously be a great honour.”

Bjorn, who becomes only the fourth skipper from continental Europe, and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington were frontrunners.

The three past captains in the decision-making process were Clarke, Paul McGinley and Jose Maria Olazabal.

A 15-time European Tour winner, Bjorn knows the host venue well after playing there 14 times in the Open de France with a best finish of third in 2007. –