Woosie tipping Lyle as captain

Ian Woosnam would be delighted if fellow Salopian Sandy Lyle was made Europe's captain for the 2010 Ryder Cup match at Celtic Manor - the first ever to be staged on Welsh soil.

Woosnam, who led the side to a victory over the Americans at the K Club two years ago before handing over to Nick Faldo, had Lyle as one of his assistants in Ireland and has sung his praises.

"It would be lovely to see Sandy do it," said Woosnam. "When he (Lyle) was with me he was really good. I really enjoyed having him there and I valued his advice. He did what he needed to do."

Lyle, from Hawkstone Park, was part of Europe's 'Big Five' through the 1980s and 1990s with Faldo, Woosnam, Seve Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer - they won 16 majors between them - and is the only one of the group not to have been awarded the captaincy so far.

Woosnam chose to do the job two years ago rather than wait until the match comes to his home country and with Colin Montgomerie favourite to be in charge when Gleneagles plays host in 2014 there are two captains to be found in between.

The decision for 2010 is not made until after this September's match.