Watson names North as vice captain

Old pal’s act: Tom Watson, right, has named Andy North, left, as one his vice-captains for the 2014 Ryder Cup

US Ryder Cup selection raises eyebrows – one-up to Europe already?

Tom Watson has taken the surprising step of naming two-time US Open champion Andy North as one of his vice captains for next year’s Ryder Cup match at Gleneagles.

Watson, the American side’s skipper, gave North the nod ahead of the Greenbrier Classic getting underway in West Virginia today.

“Andy knows what it takes to close the deal and that’s what we need on the Ryder Cup team – we need players who can close the deal,” explained Watson. History, however, would suggest otherwise. Whilst North won the US Open in 1978 and 1985, he only played in one Ryder Cup match, in ’85 – and lost all three of his matches.

“We’ve been discussing the players already back and forth and the types of young players who might make the team, the types of players that actually I hope make the team.

“I’m certainly happy to have Andy on my side and in my ear helping me make the decisions that will bring this Cup back home from Europe this time. It’s been way too long.”

North’s 1985 US Open win was the last of his three victories on the PGA Tour and, since 1993, he has served as a golf analyst for ESPN.  Make no mistake, his appointment is something of a surprise. Then again, so was Watson’s.

“I was giddy, absolutely giddy over the opportunity to not only hopefully have a role to get the Cup back, but also to be able to help a dear friend,” said North, who has known Watson since 1967. “I’m looking forward to it.

“There’s a lot of excitement to the Ryder Cup, and it means an awful lot to me. I’ve been lucky enough to cover it for ESPN, and I get emotional covering it. It’s going to be a great experience, and the bottom line is we get a ‘W’ at the end of the week.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor