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European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has announced Padraig Harrington, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Jose Maria Olazabal will join Sam Torrance and Des Smyth as his vice captains for the Gleneagles match.

Speaking to europeantour.com, the Irishman said the the three men will bring the necessary insight and experience to help Team Europe win its third successive Ryder Cup.

Paul McGinley on his new Ryder Cup vice captains

Padraig Harrington

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McGinley’s fellow Irishman, and long-term friend, has made six appearances in the biennial match, winning on four of those occasions. With proven Ryder Cup know how, and experience on both the PGA and European Tour, McGinley is confident of Harrington’s credentials.

“I know what he can bring to the team room.” – Paul McGinley

“Padraig is my oldest friend on tour and is a guy I have known most of my life,” said the captain. “We went to school together, came through the amateur ranks together and have been together in many contests for both Ireland and Europe over the years, so I know what he can bring to the team room.

“As well as being a three time major champion, Padraig is also still very active on Tour, obviously in Europe where all the players know him well, but also in the United States where he is familiar both with the tour itself and its players.”

Miguel Angel Jimenez

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The 50-year-old played his first European Tour event in 1983, and has been ever present on the tour since then. He also impressed as EurAsia Cup captain in March this year. McGinley is sure his appointment will be welcomed by the players.

“He is someone that the spectators love as well as being very popular with all the players,” said McGinley. “However he is also a person that I respect very much. I have sat beside him for over a decade on the Tournament Players’ Committee and have seen him exhibit an integrity on many occasions that is very admirable.

“He did very well in Malaysia that week and all the players in that team enjoyed working with him.” – Paul McGinley

“Miguel’s appointment also maintains the continuity I was looking for when I named him captain of the European team for the inaugural EurAsia Cup match in March. He did very well in Malaysia that week and all the players in that team enjoyed working with him.”

Jose Maria Olazabal

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The 2012 Ryder Cup winning captain chose Paul McGinley as one of his vice captains for the Medinah contest. This time around, McGinley is glad to have the Ryder Cup legend as part of his backroom staff.

“He will also bring vital knowledge and experience.” – Paul McGinley

“Jose Maria’s passion for the Ryder Cup is recognised the world over,” said the Irishman. “It was obvious in his legendary partnership with Seve and was also so very apparent two years ago at Medinah,

“He will also bring vital knowledge and experience of every element associated with the Ryder Cup, both on and off the course, which can only be helpful to the European cause.”

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