Karlsson will take up vicecaptain role at 2020 clash

Europe captain Padraig Harrington has named Robert Karlsson as his first vice-captain for the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

Karlsson performed the same role under Thomas Bjorn when Europe regained the trophy at Le Golf National in Paris last year.

The 50-year-old made two appearances in the biennial event as a player, helping Europe to a record-equalling win at The K Club in 2006 and playing in the defeat at Valhalla.

Harrington said: “Anybody involved in 2018 would have seen this as a no-brainer pick.

“He’s very logical, very straight, he doesn’t let the emotions get involved. He’s a brilliant vice-captain.

“We’ve played Ryder Cup matches together but ultimately he provides a great sounding board for myself.

“There will be other vicecaptains but you have to wait for other guys who could make the team.

“I need a vice-captain now. He’s an icon for the northern Europeans and I need access to those guys.”

Karlsson added: “It’s fantastic. Padraig asked me a little while ago and I am really looking forward to this process and being part of a team again and helping Padraig along the way.”

This week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth is the first qualifying event for the team and Harrington said: “There’s no doubt that the points actually starting it really is feeling different, a different buzz.

“I swore to myself at the start of this not to get too involved in the points early on but I’m keen to see who is leading on Sunday already.

“We’re already starting to get our statisticians to give us lists of potential players and I can already tell you the chance of players making the team. It’s fascinating.”

The Whistling Straits contest will see the US – captained by Steve Stricker – try to win the Ryder Cup back for the second successive time on home soil after their comprehensive defeat in Paris 12 months ago.

Picture: PA. Robert Karlsson is named as vicecaptain.