Steve Stricker has been named as the United States captain for the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in his home state of Wisconsin.
Here, Press Association Sport looks at five things you may not know about the 51-year-old American.
He blames Tiger Woods for suffering a crisis in confidence
The role has come a few years later than expected
Stricker has the unusual nickname of “Mr September”
Hard at work getting ready for Hawaii @SonyOpenHawaii pic.twitter.com/3p1V9IguX2
— Bobbi Stricker (@bobbistrick) December 29, 2018
Thankfully that is not down to posing in a “Calendar Girls” style racy calendar of nearly-naked golf professionals, but rather because of his habit of producing the goods at the end of the PGA Tour season in September. Between 2007 and 2010, Stricker was the only player to complete all 64 rounds in the Fedex Cup and in those 16 tournaments only finished outside the top 20 twice.
He has a unique claim to fame
Stricker has a poor Ryder Cup record as a player
Martin Kaymer in the locker room moments after holing the winning putt at the #RyderCup in 2012. pic.twitter.com/dJKEq4wm0Y
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) July 25, 2018
Despite making his debut at Valhalla in 2008 in a comfortable win for the home side, Stricker won just half a point from his three matches. Two years later he partnered Tiger Woods to two wins from three matches and also beat Lee Westwood in the opening singles at Celtic Manor. On his last appearance in 2012 Stricker lost all three matches with Woods and his defeat to Martin Kaymer ensured Europe would retain the trophy.
