Bubba named vice-captain for US Ryder Cup team

One way or another, Bubba Watson always wanted to be a part of the United States Ryder Cup team this week and his pleas to be an assistant captain finally met with success on Monday.

Notably overlooked as a wildcard pick by US captain Davis Love III despite being ranked seventh in the world, Watson was officially appointed as one of five vice-captains for the hosts ahead of this week’s competition at Hazeltine National.

“Bubba has offered a couple times to come and be one of our assistant captains, and I told him we had an extra red cart and we’d love to have him,” Love said during a joint news conference on Monday with his European counterpart, Darren Clarke.

“He adds a lot of fun, he adds a different personality, he brings a great heart.” Left-hander Watson joins Tiger Woods, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk and Tom Lehman as assistants to Love.

Renowned for his booming drives and creative short game, Watson has played in the last three Ryder Cups and would have been the third-highest ranked American in their 12-man lineup if selected for the 2016 edition.

However, Love opted to discard the merits of a seventimes PGA Tour champion who has twice won the Masters, choosing Rickie Fowler, JB Holmes and Matt Kuchar as his first three wildcard picks before adding Ryan Moore as his fourth late on Sunday.

Moore earned the final selection after a red-hot run of form since the PGA Championship in July, highlighted by a victory at the John Deere Classic in August and a playoff loss to Rory McIlroy at the season-ending Tour Championship on Sunday.

“It was a tough decision,” Love said of his final pick. “Bubba obviously disappointed not to be on the team.

“We waited until the last minute to catch a hot player, and Ryan week after week after week after week was the hottest player ... he’s just been right there at the forefront for us. He’s a great addition to our team. Obviously playing great.”

Watson first presented his case to be an assistant after he was overlooked as one of the first three wildcard selections.

USA TODAY Sports Europe team captain Darren Clarke (left) and Team USA captain Davis Love III pose after the captains’ press conference ahead of the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

AP Ian Poulter shares a laugh with McIlroy before a practice round for the Ryder Cup yesterday.