Ryder Cup 2023: Stenson names Bjorn as Europe’s first vice-captain
Bjorn led Team Europe to victory in the Ryder Cup in 2018, with Henrik Stenson among his 12 players in Paris
HENRIK Stenson has confirmed that Thomas Bjorn will be his first vice-captain for the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Stenson will lead Europe at the next edition of golf’s famous team tournament, which will take place at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome.
Bjorn captained a European team including Stenson in 2018, as they cruised to an emphatic 17.5-10.5 victory in Paris.
The Dane has been a vicecaptain on four previous occasions, and a player three times.
“I’m delighted to be part of the whole Ryder Cup experience once again,” said Bjorn.
“I probably thought that after 2018 that was it for me, but Henrik called me to talk about captaincy in general and that led into him asking me if I wanted to do another stint as vice-captain, which I agreed to. I’m excited to work with him.” “I have known Thomas for my whole career,” said Stenson. “I trust him implicitly and I know any advice he will give me will be honest and direct. He will not simply tell me what he thinks I want to hear and that will be important, so I’m delighted to have him as my first vice-captain for Rome.
“Since the match itself is still over a year away, I know I am going to have a lot of conversations with him about all elements of the Ryder Cup from his experience, both as a vice-captain on previous occasions but also, obviously, as the captain in 2018 when we had a great result.
“I will be depending on him a lot and I’m really looking forward to those chats. He was very happy when I asked him. He was very honoured to be asked and happy to be part of Team Europe again and part of the journey with the players.” Bjorn has full belief in Stenson’s captaincy, adding: “I think Henrik will be a fantastic captain. He is so well respected by players and by everyone in the game.
“He is a very hard-working golfer and somebody who is true to himself, and his team will represent that. He has a great sense of humour that the players will take to, and he is very well liked across the whole tour, not just the top where he has played his golf for so many years.”
After winning four of the previous five events, Europe suffered a record 19-9 defeat to the United States as Whistling Straits last year.