ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- Paul McGinley, who received overwhelming support from players who made up the European Ryder Cup team that won at Medinah in September, was named captain Tuesday night for the 2014 matches.
cheap golf clubs McGinley, 46, a three-time Ryder Cup participant who served as assistant captain the past two Ryder Cups, emerged from what appeared to be a spirited debate as to who should lead the team at Gleneagles, Scotland.
"Obviously absolutely thrilled and delighted to have this honor to lead the European team,'' said McGinley, who posted a 2-2-5 record in three winning European appearances and has four career European Tour titles. "To be leading the cream of the crop in the Ryder Cup is going to be a huge honor. To be honest, it is quite a humbling experience to be sitting in this seat. It is a week I am really looking forward to.''
The European Tour's tournament committee met at the swank St. Regis Hotel to pick a captain who would go up against the U.S. and their surprise pick last month of Tom Watson, who will captain the team for a second time.
Unlike the PGA of America, which conducts its search among executives, the European Tour has a committee comprised of 15 players. Three of them were not in Abu Dhabi, so 12 were on hand -- two of whom were said to be up for the job, McGinley and Colin Montgomerie.
Given the length of the discussion, it apparently was not a smooth, easy decision. Spain'sMiguel Angel Jimenez,
Ping G25 Irons Scotland's Paul Lawrie and Scotland's Sandy Lyle also were considered, according to committee chairman Thomas Bjorn.
Sporting a full bag of Nike equipment, Henley found 83% of the greens in regulation with his Nike VR Pro Cavity and VR Pro Combo irons, as well as average 293 yards off the tee with his Nike VR_S driver.
Sitting at World No.130 going into the event, the win also bumps Henley into the top 50 in the rankings.