Speculation has been rife for a number of weeks, but after a European Tour Tournament Committee meeting, it has been confirmed that Paul McGinley will lead Europe into the 2014 Ryder Cup at The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland.
The European Tour Tournament Committee, made up of a number of current and ex-tour players, meeting at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, today decided to invite Ireland’s Paul McGinley to take the role of Captain in 2014, after which he accepted the position.
McGinley said of his appointment, “I’m obviously very pleased to be in this situation. This is a position that I’m really thrilled to be in, and it’s also a very humbling experience. I can’t wait to get into the role of being the captain.”
Richard Hills, Europe’s Ryder Cup Director, said: “We are delighted that Paul has accepted the invitation of the Tournament Committee to take up the role as Captain for 2014. Having played in three Ryder Cups and holed the winning putt at the Belfry in 2002, Paul has an innate understanding of every attribute required to be a successful Captain.
“Paul’s meticulous nature and his passion for the strategic aspects of the Captain’s role have been evident for many years, through his role as a Ryder Cup Vice-Captain and as Captain of the Great Britain and Ireland Team in the Vivendi Seve Trophy. We already know that he will leave no stone unturned in his quest to retain The Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in September 2014.”
McGinley’s Ryder Cup playing career spanned three teams (’02, ’04, ’06), with a 2-2-5 record, including the memorable moment at The Belfry in 2002 where he held a 10ft putt to secure the vital match-winning half point on the 18th hole of his match against the USA’s Jim Furyk.
————————
The 2014 Ryder Cup Matches will take place at The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland from September 26 – 28, 2014. For more informaiton on the matches click here.
For more information on the Confederation of Professional Golf visit the CPG.com, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.