Scotland’s top-ranked Stephen Gallacher ruled out suggestions of revenge or getting even with the reappointment of Davis Love 111 as the 2016 USA Ryder Cup captain.

Love 111 has been handed the Stars and Stripes leadership ahead of the biennial showdown in 18 months at Hazeltine in Minnesota.

It is the second straight occasion the PGA of America has appointed a past captain after Davis Love 111 saw the victory carpet pulled out from under his side in the now infamous 2012 ‘Miracle at Medinah’.

And Davis Love’s appointment follows what was seen as the ‘redemption’ decision by the PGA of America to hand Tom Watson the lead Gleneagles reins, and 11 years after he had first captained the 1993 USA at The Belfry.

Top Scot Stephen Gallacher rules out Davis Love 111 out for Ryder Cup revenge after being appointed to lead USA team in 2106. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)

“It’s what the players wanted in calling for Davis Love to be given another shot at the captaincy,” said Gallacher.

“They appointed this 11-man committee after what happened to the Americans at Gleneagles and it’s a smart move to listen to what the rank-and-file PGA Tours were calling for.

“He went so close to winning to winning in 2012 at Medinah so it would seem right Davis be given another shot at victory.

“And while the Americans are getting desperate to win back the Ryder Cup, I don’t think you can say that by appointing Davis they are after revenge or getting even or what you want to call it.

“All the committee was charged with was picking the right man for Hazeltine and it would seem he is the right man for the job, and given also they want that Ryder Cup trophy back on this side of ‘The Pond’ so much.

“And I’ve met Davis a few times in my career and he seems a really nice fellow and it’s clearly obvious, and maybe what was lacking at Gleneagles, is that he gets on so well with all the players.

“So I think you will find it will be again like Medinah, and a very close series of matches ahead while he also gets on great with Darren, as well.”

And nine-time European Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood backed Gallacher’s reaction.

“It makes a lot of sense to hand Davis the Hazeltine captaincy,” said Westwood.

“He was a good captain when he led the team first time around at Medinah even though people might say the Americans were slightly unfortunate given the team was in such a good position going to the last day.

“So I am not at all surprised but I am more surprised they keep over-looking Freddie Couples given the fact he’s been so successful in winning the last three Presidents Cup for the States, so you have to wonder why he’s not been handed a Ryder Cup captaincy.

“And I am not one for using words like revenge or redemption as they used the word ‘redemption’ heading into Gleneagles and that didn’t work.

“It’s just nice for Davis he can have another crack at it and looking back on Medinah, he did a decent job by all accounts and just got a bit unlucky given it was such a strong performance by Europe on the last day.”

And triple Ryder Cup compatriot Paul Casey, who lost out in a play-off last week in L.A., believes it is a compliment on the part of the European Tour selection process that the USA have now gone down a similar path in reappointing Love 111.

“It has to be seen as following the European selection model and how can it not,” said Casey.

“The players have to become more involved as has been the case in Europe, as we saw just last week with the overall membership of the Tour saying Darren was the best man for the job.

“But you can phase Davis’ appointment as revenge, redemption or desperate so whatever phrase you use because as soon as that first ball is struck on the Friday at Hazeltine whatever has been said in the past is irrelevant.

“So if the PGA of America has gone about trying to pick the best guy for Hazeltine 2016 and believe Davis is the guy then that is the right choice.”

Casey also has had to cut back on his practice ahead of this week’s Honda Classic as he’s sporting a bandage on his left wrist after losing out in a play-off at Sunday’s Northern Trust Open in L.A.

“I was just hitting it out of the rough too much last week and the doctors said to go easy with the practice this week, but I should be right come Thursday,” he said.