Image Credit: Sky Sports
Following his victory at the BMW PGA Championship, Alex Noren revealed his distinctive role as a vice-captain for Team Europe at the upcoming Ryder Cup. Unlike his fellow vice-captains, Francesco Molinari, Edoardo Molinari, Thomas Bjørn, and José María Olazábal, Noren’s responsibilities are tailored to his recent addition to the team.
Supporting Captain Luke Donald
Noren explained that his primary function is to serve as an “extra set of eyes” for captain Luke Donald. He noted, “Luke’s doing the most part, and the other vice-captains have done a lot of work. Knowing about a month and a half ago I was going to be a vice-captain, I asked Luke, ‘What do you want out of me?’ He said, ‘You’re going to be an extra set of eyes over a few players and be of any service they need.'”
Emphasizing Player Support
Acknowledging the unique pressures of the Ryder Cup, Noren emphasized the importance of player welfare. He stated, “I’ve only played one time, but I know it’s different to play Ryder Cup than anything else. I’ll do whatever they ask me to do. I’m really happy to be part of the team because I think Bethpage will be an incredible venue for the Ryder Cup.”
Team Europe’s Preparations
As part of their preparations, all 12 European players are participating in a scouting mission at Bethpage Black, the venue for the 2025 Ryder Cup. This initiative, described by strategic advisor Paul McGinley as a “reccy,” aims to familiarize the team with the course and the challenges they may face during the competition.
