Padraig Harrington Named Europe Team Captain for 2020 Ryder Cup

Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington has been named as Europe's captain for the 2020 Ryder Cup in Whistling Straits, Wisconsin.

The team confirmed the news Tuesday:

Harrington, 47, represented Europe in six consecutive Ryder Cups from 1999 to 2010, winning in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010.

The Irishman has also been a vice captain on three occasions (2014, 2016, 2018), including in September when Thomas Bjorn led Europe to an impressive seven-point victory over a superbly talented United States team at Le Golf National in France.

He said at the announcement of his captaincy that he feels now is the right time to take on the responsibility, per Bob Harig of ESPN.com:

"There seems to be a natural progression. It seems to be the right time and place for me in my career. But just because it seems like my turn, it's something I thought long and hard about. Was it the right time?

"I realise it's good timing in my career, but I always realise it's probably the best setting for the team, going to the U.S. having me the captain at this time. When I talked to the other players and potential captains going forward, it seemed to fit nicely that I go and do the away match."

Europe have been the dominant force in the Ryder Cup for the best part of the last two decades, winning seven of the last nine editions. Captains such as Sam Torrance, Ian Woosnam, Colin Montgomerie, Jose Maria Olazabal and Paul McGinley have all enhanced their reputations through masterminding victories.

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Bjorn's was arguably the most impressive captain's performance of this century as he utilised smart picks and intelligent course setup to thrash a U.S. side some had pegged as unbeatable.

Harrington has a tough act to follow, and it is always much harder to win on American soil.

Team USA should also have learned some lessons from the 2018 edition, which they went into without proper preparation and an assumption of victory. But Harrington has the experience and expertise to overcome those obstacles, as well as the best part of two years to plan his strategy.