Henrik Stenson has named Thomas Bjørn as his first vice-captain for the 2023 Ryder Cup which will be played at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy from September 25 to October 1, 2023.

Thomas Bjørn named first vice-captain of Henrik Stenson

Thomas Bjørn in front of the Arc de Triomphe after his victory in Paris in 2018 – ©Getty Images

Denmark's Bjørn will bring his wealth of experience to the job, having been part of Team Europe for eight previous editions of the biennial competition – three as a player, four as a vice-captain and as a victorious captain. of the last Ryder Cup "at home" in Paris in 2018.

Stenson was one of Bjørn's 12 players in the victorious Le Golf National side and the Swede has now confirmed his Scandinavian colleague as his first official appointment since being unveiled as European captain on March 15.

The 2023 Ryder Cup European Team

The European Ryder Cup 2018 team – ©Getty Images

“I have known Thomas since the beginning of my career”, Stenson said. “I trust him implicitly and know that any advice he gives me will be honest and straightforward. He won't just tell me what he thinks I want to hear and that will be important, so I'm delighted to have him as the first vice-captain for Roma. »

“As the match itself is still over a year away, I know I will be having lots of conversations with him about all elements of the Ryder Cup from his experience, both as vice-captain on previous occasions, but also, obviously, as captain in 2018 when we got a great result. I'm going to depend on him a lot and I'm really looking forward to having those conversations."

“He was very happy when I asked him and very honored to be asked to be part of the European team again and the trip with the players. »

Bjorn said: “I am thrilled to be part of the whole Ryder Cup experience again. I probably thought that after 2018 it was over for me, but Henrik called me to talk about the captaincy in general and that led him to ask me if I wanted to do another stint as vice- captain, which I accepted. I am very happy to work with him. »

“I think I can help Henrik define what he wants to do as captain in the future. I can continue to ask him the right questions and remind him of the things that are coming his way that he may not have thought of. I will help him prepare in the best possible way and as we get closer to the game I will be an additional support for the players. »

“I think Henrik will be a fantastic captain. He is highly respected by the players and by everyone involved in the game. He is a very hardworking golfer and someone who is true to himself, and his team will represent that. He has a great sense of humor that the players will appreciate, and he is well-liked across the whole of the Tour, not just the top of the table where he played for so many years. »

Ryder Cup 2023 Thomas Bjorn

© Getty Images

Bjørn's Ryder Cup career began under Seve Ballesteros in 1997, when he became the first Dane to represent Europe and Valderrama became the first course in continental Europe to host the competition. He gained a point and a half in his two matches in Spain, teaming up with Ian Woosnam to beat Justin Leonard and Brad Faxon in the fourball, then going XNUMX-XNUMX with Leonard in the singles.

He then scored two points in his four matches at The Belfry in 2002, teaming with Darren Clarke to beat Tiger Woods and Paul Azinger in the four-ball tournament, and beating Stewart Cink 2&1 in singles.

His third appearance as a player came 12 years later when he qualified for Paul McGinley's side at Gleneagles in 2014, where he teamed with Martin Kaymer to earn a half point win over Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker in the Friday fourballs.

Between these appearances on the pitch, Bjørn was also part of the Team Europe coaching staff on three occasions, first as vice-captain to Bernhard Langer at Oakland Hills in 2004 and then to Colin Montgomerie at Celtic Manor Resort in 2010 and José María Olazábal in Medinah in 2012.

After starring in the 2014 win at Gleneagles, he then returned to the vice-captain role under Darren Clarke in 2016, suffering his only defeat to date in the Ryder Cup arena at Hazeltine National.

Bjørn, who has won 15 times on the DP World Tour to date, was then chosen as European captain in 2018, as Le Golf National in Paris became the second venue in continental Europe to host the Ryder Cup.

He oversaw a comprehensive 17½-10½ victory in France, Stenson contributing three points from his three games, as Europe extended their unbeaten record at home to six consecutive editions, since Bjørn's debut in 1997.

Bjørn will now be part of Captain Stenson's support team at the Marco Simone when Italy hosts the Ryder Cup for the first time.

To know more : https://www.rydercup.com/

To read our last article on the same subject :

Henrik Stenson named Europe captain for 2023 Ryder Cup