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13:29 GMT, Friday, 3 October 2008 14:29 UK

Woosnam admits Ryder captain bid

Ian Woosnam has confirmed that he wants to be considered to captain the European Ryder Cup team in his homeland of Wales at the Celtic Manor in 2010.

The Welshman inspired Europe to a record-equalling Ryder Cup win over the Americans at the K Club in 2006.

The 1991 Masters champion told BBC Sport: "I have put my name forward at the moment but it all depends if Jose Maria Olazabal wants the job."

"If he doesn't want it, I feel I would like the chance to have another go."

The 2010 showpiece is the first Ryder Cup to be played in Wales and Welsh sporting great Woosnam would be a fitting skipper as Europe bid to regain the trophy after America won this year's event in Valhalla.

Olazabal, the European vice-captain at Valhalla, had been one of the leading candidates for the 2010 captaincy but the Spaniard hopes to be considered as a player at Celtic Manor once he fully recovers from a knee injury.

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Is Ian Woosnam the man to revive the European team?

Two-time major winner Sandy Lyle, Woosnam's assistant in Europe's 18½-9½ 2006 victory, is also interested in captaining Europe in Wales while fellow Scot Colin Montgomerie is also among the favourites.

Woosnam's man-management and organisational skills were instrumental in Europe securing a record third successive Ryder Cup success in Ireland two years ago.

Thomas Bjorn is chairman of the players' committee that will decide the next Ryder Cup captain at a meeting in the Middle East in January.

Former world number one Woosnam said: "The 13-man players' committee will make the right decision.

"If it's me great, but if it isn't I'll be there to support whoever it will be.

"I have to say it would be terrific to captain Europe in Wales.

"We've always had a great team spirit and now, because we have lost, we need to get that back into the team.

"I feel that I have got the experience to do it again and get that feeling back in the team room again."

The European Ryder Cup team were beaten for the first time since 1999 16½-11½ by the US at Valhalla in Kentucky last month.



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Related to this story:

Jacklin tips Woosnam as captain (23 Sep 08 |  Golf )
Lyle keen on 2010 Ryder captaincy (25 Sep 08 |  Golf )
Montgomerie backs Lyle for 2010 (24 Sep 08 |  Golf )
Celtic Manor 'to outdo Valhalla' (22 Sep 08 |  Golf )
US secure emphatic Ryder Cup win (21 Sep 08 |  Golf )
Woosnam backs Lyle as Cup captain (25 Feb 08 |  Golf )
Woosnam savours Ryder Cup glory (25 Sep 06 |  Golf )
Ian Woosnam's career in pictures (02 Mar 05 |  Photo Galleries )

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