WILLIAMS: IT IS NO CRISIS.. DESPITE THE 3-DAY DELAY

Stricker: What happened in Paris will be fuel we need to take the Cup back

EMOTIONAL Steve Sticker was confirmed as America’s Ryder Cup captain for the match at Whistling Straits next year.

He was close to tears as he said: “Truly a dream come true, it’s an honour to represent the PGA, the competition itself.

“I’m truly humbled by this opportunity because I am very passionate about this competition.

“Some people don’t think I’m very fiery about playing the game of golf but deep down I’m very competitive, we want to win this more than ever and I’m here to help in any way.”

The former world No.2, who will turn 52 on Saturday, was clear favourite to succeed Jim Furyk as captain for the biennial event against Europe, which will be played in his home state of Wisconsin.

A 12-times winner on the PGA Tour, Stricker captained the victorious US team at the

2017 Presidents Cup and served as one of

Furyk’s vice captains at last year’s Ryder

Cup in Paris where the US team suffered a crushing defeat.

Stricker added: “My biggest thing is I want to make sure all the players that make the team know what to expect from me and what I expect from them.

“While we were disappointed with the result in Paris, I am confident the setback will fuel our preparations for what will take place at Whistling Straits.

“I think Whistling Straits is a great course for this competition. “There are holes that are legitimate birdie holes and holes where you’ve got to suck it up and pars are going to be good. “That’s going to lend itself to a good match-play course.”

As a player, Stricker logged three Ryder Cup appearances.

He was on the winning team in 2008 before defeats in 2010 and 2012. His individual Ryder Cup record is three wins, seven losses and one half.

The European Ryder Cup team named Padraig Harrington (inset) as their captain in January.

CLAIRE WILLIAMS denied her family’s Formula One team were in crisis after they turned up three days late for pre-season testing.The deputy principal, whose father Frank (inset) founded one of the most successful teams in the sport’s 69-year history said: “We know that we’ve got problems and we’ve got to fix them.“But Williams is not in crisis or turmoil.“If you spent five minutes at (the factory at) Grove, you’d know that wasn’t the case. We’ve made a big mistake not getting our car out and there’s a number of reasons for that.”Williams (above) made clear she intended to remain at the helm and added: “I’m not considering my position. I don’t think that would be the right thing to do.“Of course, as the boss, it’s my ultimate responsibility, but it’s everyone’s responsibility in any team to make sure they play their part in getting whatever your product is to the place that it needs to be.”Williams finished last overall in 2018 with an ill-handling car in one of their worst ever seasons. STRICKTLY SPEAKING.. Steve Stricker cut an emotional figure at his unveiling as the USA captain yesterday