Perfect birthday gift for him

IAN WOOSNAM was today made captain of Europe's Ryder Cup side and the Welshman immediately pledged to give something back in the form of an historic third successive win.

Woosnam, whose 47th birthday it is, will lead Europe's defence of the cup against the United States at the K Club near Dublin in Ireland in September next year.

And in an unprecedented move it was confirmed that Nick Faldo will captain the side to play in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2008.

It is the first time that two captains have been appointed.

But Jamie Spence, chairman of the European Tour Committee, revealed that the decision of a board that included Bernhard Langer, captain of the victorious 2004 team, was unanimous.

Spence said: "It just felt the right time for Ian and we were all 100 per cent behind him.

"But we didn't feel it was fair to keep [Nick] hanging on."

Woosnam, here in Dubai for the Desert Classic, which starts tomorrow, said: "We have never won three successive matches. I need to follow on from the fantastic achievements of Sam Torrance in 2002 and Bernhard."

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