Gerrard backs Bjorn leader
THOMAS BJORN was yesterday named Europe’s captain for the 2018 Ryder Cup in France – and was overwhelmed by a thumbs-up from another legendary skipper.
Liverpool football fan Bjorn received a video message on Twitter from Anfield icon Steven Gerrard congratulating him on landing the job.
“Completely overwhelmed by all your support! And, as much as I love you all, this message is just a little bit special!! #MyHero,” tweeted Bjorn.
The 45-year-old Dane will fulfil a lifetime’s ambition when he takes charge of the European team at Le Golf National near Paris as they bid to wrest the trophy back from the United States.
“I studied a lot of captains as a player and as a vice-captain and always wondered what that feeling would be like to be the one leading out a team of 12 great players,” said Bjorn. “Now it’s my turn to do just that and it is an exciting moment. This is one of the greatest days in my career.”
Bjorn has been a vicecaptain for four Ryder Cups, including this year’s 17-11 defeat by the United States at Hazeltine.
His three Ryder Cup appearances as a player in 1997, 2002 and 2014 all resulted in victories and he was twice runner-up at the Open Championship.
The most successful Danish golfer, he becomes Europe’s first Scandinavian skipper.
He had been a firm favourite for the job, especially after Padraig Harrington said he wanted to play in the next event rather than take on the captaincy.
Bjorn said: “It’s a huge honour for me to be named European captain. I have lived and breathed the European Tour for so long and now I will do the same with the Ryder Cup for the next two years.
“I am very much looking forward to taking on this task.” Bjorn was chosen by a five-man selection panel comprising the three most recent captains – Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Jose Maria Olazabal – as well as European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley and tournament committee member Henrik Stenson.
Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and Scotland’s Paul Lawrie had also been in the running.
“Thomas has many wonderful characteristics which he will bring to the role of captain,” said Pelley. “Firstly, he is incredibly experienced having played in three winning Ryder Cup teams and having been a vice-captain four times.
“He also has commitment. We have seen that over the last nine years as tournament committee chairman, so we know as Ryder Cup captain he will have the same unwavering commitment.
“Thirdly, he has passion, not only for this wonderful game, but for the European Tour and Team Europe and he wants the Ryder Cup to be the greatest sporting event it can be.”
Colin Montgomerie has also backed Bjorn to be a success, saying he “the obvious choice”.
Bjorn was Montgomerie’s vice-captain when Europe regained the cup at Celtic Manor in 2010, and the Scot felt he excelled in the role.
“Thomas was the obvious choice, and the right choice, to be captain in 2018,” said Montgomerie.
“I saw first hand what he was like as a vice-captain in 2010, and he was exceptional. I used him possibly more than any other vice-captain at Celtic Manor.
“He wears his heart on his sleeve and I think that’s important for the role.
“I wouldn’t be worried at all about his combustible and fiery nature, that is good in a way. You need that to beat the might of the Americans.”
Masters champion Danny Willett, part of the European team beaten at Hazeltine in October, said: “Thomas is a well-respected man in our game and on the European Tour.
“From what I saw from him as vice-captain, he is going to make a fantastic captain.” was