Former Ryder Cup-winning captain Bernard Gallacher last night backed Englishman Mark James in preference to fellow Scot Sam Torrance to lead the European team against the USA at The Country Club, Brookline, Massachusetts, next year.
Explaining his choice, he said that Torrance, who wants to play on the team, would be the obvious captain for the contest at the Belfry in 2001, having holed the winning putt there 13 years ago.
However, he was emphatic that a decision on the captaincy should be made before the qualification process for the players begins at the Canon Masters in Switzerland in September.
''To me it is a two-horse race between Mark and Sam,'' said Gallacher, 49, who is planning a new career on the European Seniors Tour. ''The dilemma is that both may be required to play.
''I think the committee are hanging back to see which one is less likely to play. The first 10 to qualify could all be guys who have never played before and the captain would want the experience that Sam or Mark could provide.
''I would probably go for Mark because, from speaking to Sam, I know that he has a very strong desire to play on the team again.''
In future it is unlikely that anyone will be asked to serve more than one term as captain and the honour will be spread around those players who have served the cause.
The main aim of Torrance, who has not had a drink this year, is to face the Americans for a ninth time. Yesterday, when asked, he left his options open for either role. ''I would still like to be involved as a player because if I don't make it to this one I will be 48 by the time the next comes around. My love for the game is as great as ever, I'm fitter and stronger than ever and my nerve is still reasonable. All I need to do is put a few consistent tournaments together.
''It would be great honour to be Ryder Cup captain at some point. I would love to do it but my feeling now is to be part of it as a player.''
Of golf's famous five, Seve Ballesteros showed his qualities of leadership last year in the triumph at Valderrama. Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, all stalwarts in the heat of battle, will assuredly be considered in the future.
Welshman Ian Woosnam has his eye on the 2009 event when Celtic Manor will be a contender to stage it but would accept now rather than participate in the USA, even though his game is returning to form.
He arrived at Wentworth to defend his Volvo PGA title tomorrow, gleefully recounting that his wife, Glendryth, had gone for lessons from a young assistant professional in Jersey.
''He asked who had taught her and she said it was her husband. 'Oh, said the lad, 'never listen to your husband.' It was only when she started to giggle that he found out who I was.''
If Woosnam wins another #100,000 this season he will consider moving to the PGA Tour to improve his world ranking and compete for the bigger purses. ''If these rankings do not change a lot players will look to go to the USA because of the money on offer and to add to their ranking.''
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