The US Open winning duo of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell have warmly applauded the appointment of fellow Irishman Des Smyth and Scotland’s Sam Torrance as the initial two European Ryder Cup vice captains.
And key in the comments of both McIlroy and McDowell is the word ‘trust’ in that McGinley has chosen two players who are long-time good friends and that he can trust.
“I am a big fan of both of them, Des and Sam, and Sam’s always a guy I have enjoyed being with and his Ryder Cup experience will be invalable and with Des, it will just be great to see a happy face in the team room,” said McDowell.
Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell praise the appointment of Torrance and Smyth. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“One of the most important roles for the four vice-captains is to make the guys feel comfortable, and they are the four guys who want smiling back at you on the tee boxes to reassure you and keep you going.
“So far we have thee very approachable people in the team room.
“Paul is going to be a fantastic captain and I’ve said that from day one..
“Golfing credentials? Yes, you deserve to be a Ryder Cup captain. Does that mean you are going to be a great Ryder Cup captain? Not necessarily. Leadership qualities are very, very important and I think Paul is going to personify that really well.
“So they are great guys and I am a big fan of them both.
“Sam is a guy I have always enjoyed being with and his Ryder Cup experience will be invaluable. They are guys you can confide in and Paul is that way too.
“I met Des way back in my early days. He would be a guy who put an arm around me when I was a young lad on tour. I have been out to dinner with him and always enjoyed his company. He’d have been a guy I’ve known for a long time.
“So far we have three very approachable captains and vice- captains and I would say that vein will continue.”
Just as delighted with the appointment of Smyth and Torrance was McIlroy, who indicated he first met Smyth was playing at Baltray a few years with his caddy J P Fitzgerald.
“I know Des well and I know Sam well and it’s good and they will bring experience to the team,” said McIlroy.
“Des was a vice-captain in ’06 and Sam’s been a player, a captain and a vice-captain so it will be good. They are guys that Paul trusts, guys that Paul really counts on and relies on.
“It is important. Most of the guys will know Sam, not a lot of the guys will know Des. I don’t think that will be of any sort of significance. For me it’s great. I know both of them and get on really well with both of them.
“Des is very sort of placid character and someone that you could confide in, very much so, and someone you could have a nice chat with. He would never offer his advice unless you asked him.”
