Davis Love III to Captain Team USA at 41st Ryder Cup

Davis Love III to Captain Team USA at 41st Ryder Cup
Davis Love III has been named as the Ryder Cup captain for the USA Team at Hazeltine in 2016.

Speaking after yesterday’s announcement Love stated, “I am thrilled to be the Team USA Captain and represent our country as we work to win back the Ryder Cup.  It is a great honour to be in the position to help build the Team, but our mission doesn’t end there.  What we accomplish in 2016 at Hazeltine must serve as the foundation for future USA Ryder Cup Teams.”

Just one week after Europe named Darren Clarke as their captain, Love was unanimously chosen for the post by the Ryder Cup Task Force, set up after the American’s crushing defeat at Gleneagles in September of last year.

PGA of America President and U.S. Ryder Cup Task Force Co-Chair Derek Sprague announced yesterday, “Today marks a new era in U.S. Ryder Cup history, and we could not be more pleased that Davis Love III will be our Captain.”

After losing six of the last seven Ryder Cups, America is looking to rectify the issues they believe have been holding their teams back.  Callaway player, Phil Mickelson was an outspoken opponent of Tom Watson’s leadership at Gleneagles in 2014.  Openly questioning his methods in a packed press conference after the team’s latest defeat to Europe.

The Ryder Cup Task Force, featuring Sprague, Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Love amongst other players and PGA executives, was formed to assist in the selection of future captains and vice-captains as well as making changes to qualifying criteria.

Sprague explained their choice stating, “Davis brings a unique perspective and experience of having served as Captain, Vice-Captain and as a key player on six Ryder Cup Teams.  Davis, who has the utmost respect of his peers, will bring his vast Ryder Cup knowledge to lead Team USA in 2016.”

With Love’s appointment also came the announcement of his vice-captain, Tom Lehman, as well as changes to the points system and an increase in captain’s picks alongside an extended deadline for the latter.

“I am very pleased that Tom Lehman has accepted to serve as a vice-captain, bringing his outstanding experience and the respect of all players to our next team,” said Love.

The Americans believe these new changes, which they hope will give players more of a voice, will be the catalyst to providing them with the team morale they they’ve been missing against a united Europe.

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