As expected Darren Clarke will be the man to lead Europe in the pursuit of a fourth consecutive Ryder Cup success at Hazeltine in 2016.
The Dungannon man has bag loads of experience both on and off the course in the biennial event.
He played in five Ryder Cups and was vice-captain twice. Only once in that septet of appearances did he end up on the losing side.
As to what Clarke will bring to the role of captain, he was quick to highlight the contribution of two previous captains who led Europe to victory.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, he said: "Paul McGinley’s captaincy was so much about the attention to detail and to move away from that would be foolish. Obviously I would like to replicate a lot of that.
"I’d also like to bring the passion that Seve [Ballesteros] brought to it. It is early days at the moment; I’ve just been appointed captain so there is time to figure out what way I can do the job best.
Clarke is in no doubt that Europe will face a tough challenge from a USA side that will be determined to put an end to their losing streak in the competition.
"Davis and I are very good friends and if he his named captain, I’ll be absolutely delighted for him" - Darren Clarke on Davis Love
"There is also the prospect of facing his friend Davis Love, who is expected to be named USA captain for the second next in the coming week.
"Davis and I are very good friends and if he his named captain, I’ll be absolutely delighted for him," he added.
"America will be putting a task force together to do what they think is best to recapture the Ryder Cup. We will be under no illusion going to Hazeltine how tough the challenge will be."
Not surprisingly, Clarke is honoured to have been chosen captain, having beaten off the challenge of Thomas Bjorn and Miguel Ángel Jiménez. He now is hoping to repay the faith the Ryder Cup committee have shown in him.
"It was out of my hands and thankfully for me when the committee got together they chose me," he said.
"You have no pre-determined right to be Ryder Cup captain. Everyone of us was looked at on our own merits. Thomas and Miguel, I have no doubt, have stronger points than myself.
"The committee decided that I was the best man for the job and I’m extremely delighted they have looked upon me that way. Hopefully I can repay their trust in with a strong performance.”
Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter and Martin Kaymer all came out in support of the 2011 Open Champion and, while he thinks that their backing had no real impact on the final selection, he was, nevertheless, grateful to them.
"I can’t answer whether it made any difference. Obviously to have those guys come out and support me publicly meant a lot to me. It touched me greatly that they would have enough confidence in me to try and help them retain the trophy.
"It was special that they made their feelings public knowledge.”
