Tour News (posted 21st August 1998)

Langer doesn't want to be Ryder Cup captain

Reuters

Straffan, Ireland. - Bernhard Langer said on Friday he wanted to compete in next year's Ryder Cup and had no wish to be Europe's non-playing captain.

"We need all the players we have to get on the team. That was one of the reasons I didn't put my name forward. I feel I can still make the team as a player and you can't do both," said Langer, midway leader in the European Open.

Europe defends the Cup against the United States at the Country Club in Brookline, Massachussetts, next year.

Langer said players like Mark James, Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam had been mentioned as possible captains, although Woosnam was playing well at the moment.

The captaincy will be announced in Munich next Wednesday on the eve of the BMW International Open.