From combined dispatches
NEW YORK | Corey Pavin was introduced as the next U.S. captain for the Ryder Cup on Thursday, selected to lead a team in 2010 that will try to successfully defend the cup for the first time since 1993.
A former U.S. Open champion with 15 wins on the PGA Tour, Pavin played in three Ryder Cups and had an 8-5-0 record.
“The Ryder Cup is in my blood,” he said at a news conference. “I think if you cut my arm open, Ryder Cup would just bleed out. It’s the greatest event in the world, I think, and certainly the golf world.”
The 49-year-old Pavin takes over for Paul Azinger, who helped the U.S. end a decade of European dominance at the Ryder Cup with a 16 1/2-11 1/2 victory in September at Valhalla in Louisville, Ky.
The Americans have not had the same captain in consecutive Ryder Cups since Ben Hogan in 1947 and 1949. U.S. players lobbied for Azinger to return the night of their victory at Valhalla, and only recently has he said he might be interested.
But PGA of America president Jim Remy said the organization didn’t want to break with precedent.
“We have so many great players who have earned that right to be a Ryder Cup captain that we want to make sure that we support them and hopefully not leave any great player behind,” he said.
Sorenstam starts final event
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates | Annika Sorenstam started the final tournament of her career with a 2-under 70, four shots off the lead at the Dubai Ladies Masters.
The defending champion closed with back-to-back bogeys at Emirates Golf Club after starting from the 10th tee. She double-bogeyed the 18th, but had seven birdies at the season-ending tournament on the Ladies European Tour.
Johanna Head of England opened with a bogey-free 66 to lead Anja Monke of Germany by two shots. England’s Katharina Schallenberg, Sweden’s Maria Boden and Italy’s Veronica Zorzi each shot 69s.
“I got off to a tremendous start,” Sorenstam said. “Played well for about 14 holes and collapsed on the other four, which is a bummer when you feel so good about something and then you come in with such a terrible finish.”
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