Davis Love III will be named captain of the United States team in the Ryder Cup for a second time next year at Hazeltine, according to multiple media reports.
The PGA of America is expected to make the official announcement on Feb. 24 at PGA headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
“If true, I believe that Davis is an excellent choice to lead US Ryder Cup in 2016,” Paul Azinger, who captained the U.S. to its last victory in 2008 at Valhalla, told the Golf Channel. “He’s still connected to the players. He was very prepared and thorough in 2012. Davis will bring much needed continuity to the process.
“I had no interest in being the captain in 2016 for many reasons, personal and business. I suggested Davis to the powers that be at the PGA. He’s a logical choice if he wants it.”
If Love is selected, he will become the seventh man to be U.S. captain at least twice, joining Walter Hagen (six times), Ben Hogan (three), Sam Snead (three), Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Jack Burke Jr.
The 50-year-old Love was captain of the 2012 team that built a 10-6 lead heading into Sunday, before the Europeans staged a dramatic rally to win, 14 1/2-13 1/2, in what has been called the “Miracle at Medinah.”
Julius Mason, senior director of communications for the PGA of America, would not confirm Love’s selection.
“It is premature to discuss the 2016 Ryder Cup captaincy and we are not prepared to comment at this time,” Mason told USA Today.
Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland, a good friend of Love’s, is expected to be selected as the European captain.
The United States leads the Ryder Cup series, 25-13-2, but Europe has won six of the last seven and eight of the last 10 competitions.
