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Ryder Cup 2016: Davis Love announced as USA captain

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After being announced as the US Ryder Cup captain for a second time, Davis Love has vowed to improve on his last spell in charge.

Davis Love has been confirmed as United States captain for the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine.

The PGA of America announced that Love would take the role for the second time during a press conference at their headquarters at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens - venue for this week's star-studded Honda Classic.

Love has been given the chance to atone for the astonishing defeat to Europe in the 'Miracle at Medinah' in 2012. The 50-year-old was being hailed as a tactical maestro after guiding his team to a 10-6 victory over the first two days, but the plaudits turned into heavy criticism 24 hours later following Europe's remarkable fightback in the singles.

Tom Lehman, who led the team at the K Club in 2006, has been appointed as one of Love's vice-captains, with another three - one former captain and two with previous Ryder Cup experience - to be chosen at a later date.

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After being announced as the US Ryder Cup captain for a second time, Davis Love has vowed to improve on his last spell in charge.

It was also confirmed that changes have been made to the qualifying criteria, with the number of captain's picks being increased from three to four and the deadline extended.

The top eight in the qualifying standings will be set following the first event of next season's FedExCup play-offs, and Love will announce his first three wildcard selections after the BMW Championship the following week.

His final pick will be announced after the Tour Championship in Atlanta to give Love the best chance to select in-form players - an option that was not available to Tom Watson last year as the likes of FedExCup champion Billy Horschel and Chris Kirk hit form too late to be considered for Gleneagles.

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There has also been a significant change to the qualifying points system, with only the majors (one point for every $1,000 earned) and The Players Championship and World Golf Championship events (one point per $2,000) counting towards the standings.

The players will then earn one point for every $1,000 in prize money in regular PGA Tour events from January 1, 2016, while there will be two points per $1,000 earned in the four majors in 2016. The "opposite field" PGA Tour events (those played the same week as a major or WGC tournament) will not offer any points.

Thrilled

"I am thrilled to be the Team USA Captain and represent our country as we work to win back the Ryder Cup," said Love. "It is a great honour to be in the position to help build the team, but our mission doesn't end there. What we accomplish in 2016 at Hazeltine must serve as the foundation for future USA Ryder Cup teams.

It is a great honour to be in the position to help build the team, but our mission doesn't end there. What we accomplish in 2016 at Hazeltine must serve as the foundation for future USA Ryder Cup teams
Davis Love III

"I am here with the same goal as in 2012 but not as the same captain. It's a new business model, a new team building model, that comes from being given an opportunity by the PGA of America to come together and use all our veteran experience to build a new team culture and a consistent plan for the future.

"Simply, we want to win. What we have created is a new process for continuity and team work which will prepare us for many years of success.

"As the son of a PGA Professional and representing all PGA members, I am very proud to accept this responsibility and eager to get started. I am very pleased that Tom Lehman has accepted to serve as a vice-captain, bringing his outstanding experience and the respect of all players to our next team.

"Tom has been a trusted friend who I can call upon to provide valuable advice as we go about preparing Team USA."

The USA's third straight defeat in the competition at Gleneagles last year prompted the PGA of America to set up a Ryder Cup "task force", charged with the responsibility of selecting the next captain and introducing changes to the qualifying criteria.

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Here's another chance to see a revealing interview from Davis Love, who has been named US Ryder Cup captain for a second time.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will remain on a six-man committee that will assist Love and Lehman in their preparations for the 2016 contest in Minnesota.

Love made his Ryder Cup debut as a player in 1993 and played in six contests, winning nine of his 26 matches, losing 12 and halving five.

He holed the winning putt on his debut as he hit back from one down with two to play to snatch victory over Costantino Rocca, and he lost only one of his six singles encounters.

In his final playing appearance in 2004, he halved his match with close friend Darren Clarke, who was appointed as the European captain last week. 

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