Ryder Cup: Reaction from the four new assistant captains

Thomas Bjorn now has a wealth of experience in his Ryder Cup backroom team after naming Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald as assistant captains.

Bjorn had already named Robert Karlsson as his first vice-captain at Wentworth last year, and he unveiled the remaining quartet ahead of this week’s BMW PGA Championship.

Harrington is the only member of the five to have previous experience behind the scenes, having been an assistant to Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke in the last two contests, while Westwood, McDowell and Donald have all enjoyed excellent careers as players in the Ryder Cup.

Westwood conceded his chances of an 11th appearance in the competition are fading, but he and his experienced colleagues are all relishing the chance to give Bjorn the support he needs to regain the famous gold trophy in Paris in the Autumn.

Here’s what the four new assistant captains had to say after the announcement at Wentworth …

Lee Westwood

“Obviously I’ve been on 10 Ryder Cup sides, but never been involved with the role behind the scenes, and as a vice-captain. So when Thomas asked me to take that role, I was obviously delighted and jumped at the chance.

“Myself and Thomas have known each other many years, since the mid-90s, we are friends, and anything I can do to have a bit of input and help, I will gladly do. It will be nice to see him take on his role as captain and support him as much as I can.

“I’m of an age now where my chances of making the team go down quite significantly, and it’s something that I’ve always been interested in, having played so many, but never been on the other side of it and seeing what goes on. I was keen to see that kind of angle to it.

“Thomas has pulled together a good team here with a lot of knowledge and experience, with many Ryder Cups between us, and hopefully at the right times, we can give the right or the correct words to somebody less experienced than us that might be playing their first one, and hopefully not say the wrong things at the wrong times, as well.

“We have to consider ourselves as backroom team and psychologists and all sorts that week. Thomas needs people with experience, and that’s what he’s got.”

Graeme McDowell

“Like Lee, it’s my first time being involved in the backroom staff of a Ryder Cup. I have a huge amount of respect for Thomas and all he’s accomplished in his career, and really excited about the opportunity to help Team Europe stop the US momentum.

“I think my experience at Paris National, the four Ryder Cups I’ve played, have been the greatest moments of my career. I’m just excited to take on a slightly different view of things, and obviously help the 12 players be as ready as they possibly can to regain this trophy that we all care so much about.”

Padraig Harrington

“Having been vice-captain twice, I realise how much work is behind the scenes in supporting the captain. The teams are so well balanced nowadays that the captain can make all the difference, and he needs all the support he can get, and there is a lot going on during the week.

“So it’s nice to be back again to do it. I’ve known Thomas since 1996 when he beat me for Rookie of the Year, so we have had very close careers over the years. We’ve had a meeting or two now, and everything I’ve heard so far is on the right track. We like what we are hearing from Thomas, and it looks like it’s all heading in the right direction.”

Luke Donald

“I’ve been in constant conversation with Thomas since he was announced as captain, just making it clear that I’d love to be involved in any way I can to help Team Europe get the trophy back. Obviously I’m on a little bit of an injury [break], but we’re here for the Ryder Cup, and I’m really excited to help in any way I can, and do what I can.

“It was really fun when Thomas approached me and asked me to be a part of this, and I look forward to using some of my experience and helping in any way we can in getting that cup back on European soil.”

(c) Sky News 2018: Ryder Cup: Reaction from the four new assistant captains