Pavin named US Ryder Cup captain

The 49-year-old Californian, who has a tough act to follow in Paul Azinger, was last involved in the match as one of Tom Lehman's assistants in the crushing defeat in Ireland two years ago.

There had been speculation that Azinger, who in Louisville in September led the United States to their first victory since 1999, might stay on. However, once Azinger let it be known at the start of this week that he was not continuing in the job, Pavin was a clear favourite.

Winner of the US Open in 1995, he made the last of his three cup appearances as a player later that year.

Although the Americans lost the match, he won four of his five games to finish his career with eight wins and five defeats.

Pavin's debut had been at Kiawah Island four years earlier and he was involved in controversy there, joining partner Steve Pate in wearing a "Desert Storm" cap during a match that became so heated it was known as "The War on the Shore".

An emotional Pavin told a press conference in New York: "I've been waiting for this day since I received the call last month - I'm very excited to be here.

"In 1991 I played in my first Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island.

"Listening to the national anthem, experiencing the pressure for the first time, watching the last match between Hale Irwin and Bernhard Langer, and of course throwing captain Dave Stockton into the ocean, cemented my love for the Ryder Cup in my blood forever.

"I knew I wanted to play as many as possible and dreamt of becoming captain one day. My dream has come true."