European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley named Sam Torrance and Des Smyth as vice-captain’s for this September’s showdown at Gleneagles.
McGinley chose the Irish Government buildings in Dublin to make the announcement given he is guest-oh-honour later Thursday at the annual Irish Golf Writers dinner at nearby Portmarnock Golf Club.
However the Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny, who was expected to join McGinley in the Irish capital, apologised for his absence and having rushed to travel to Brussels to attend an urgent European Union summit meeting dealing the crisis in the Crimea.
Paul McGinley names close friends Des Smyth and Sam Torrance as two of his Gleneagles vice-captains. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
Torrance, 60 was the victorious 2002 European Ryder Cup captain where McGinley made his debut in sensational manner by holing the winning putt at The Belfry in England.
And McGinley has again repaid the Scot on top of appointing him late last year to captain the GB & I Seve Trophy side in Versailles.
“These two men have been a sounding board for me both personally and professionally and they have proved time and time again with their ability and their passion and their judgement that they are ideal for the role of vice-captain of the European Team,” said McGinley.
“As everyone knows I have had a very close relationship with Sam and we bonded very much in 2002, and it culminated for him following a very successful career on the golf course with his captaincy at The Belfry.
“That ended all very well for the both of us but it was behind the scenes that he left a big impression with me as a member of his team.
“Tactically, he made so many right calls. He understood the players and he understood what the Ryder Cup was all about, and his ability to motivate the players had very much a lasting impression on me.
“When I was chosen as European Team captain in Abu Dhabi early last year Sam was on the first names that came to mind as a vice captain.”
McGinley revealed he has known the now 61-year old Smyth since he was 17-years of age, and with Smyth having been a European vice-captain in the victorious 2006 European Team at the K. Club in Ireland.
“If anybody has been a mentor to me on the professional circuit it’s been Des,” said McGinley.
“In many ways he was a very natural choice for me.
“He’s obviously had a very successful career himself as a player and also as a vice-captain to Ian Woosnam in 2006, and where I found him to be very inspirational, astute, voice of reason but with great clarity of thoughts.
“All these traits can be found in Des so for me he was also a natural choice.”
McGinley indicated he will announce before September 2nd at least two more vice-captains and that will depend of who qualifies automatically for the European Team.
Those in line to appointed additional vice-captains include Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez, Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn and the possibility also of 2012 victorious European Team leader, Jose Maria Olazabal should he change his mind in coming months.
“It’s quite clear a lot of potential further vice-captains could more than likely qualify for the team,” said McGinley.
“A lot of them would still like to make the team so I just don’t want to distract them by talking about Ryder Cup and so they can focus on making the side.
“So I want to put it on the table for everybody that is no more announcements coming and it is important for everyone to remain focus, keep their head down and run as fast as they can over the next … whatever period we have to 2nd September.”
Watson has already announced two of his vice-captains in 71-year old Raymond Floyd and 63-year old Andy North.
