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Watson keen to captain USA at Gleneagles

Tom Watson is a popular figure on British shores © Getty Images

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• News: Watson named US Ryder Cup captain for Gleneagles
  

Eight-time major champion Tom Watson has confirmed he would be 'honoured' to ask to captain the United States at the 2014 Ryder Cup.

Watson, 63, played on four Ryder Cup teams and captained the American side to victory at The Belfry in 1993 during an illustrious career - but has not attended the event since that success 19 years ago.

The next Ryder Cup is due to take place at Gleneagles in Scotland, a country where Watson is very popular. Four of his five Open Championship successes came in Scotland.

"I hope so, I hope so," Watson told reporters, when asked if he could captain the US side in two years.

"It would be a great honour if I got tapped on the shoulder. I know that 1993 was the last time I've been to a Ryder Cup.

"I'd like to go back as captain. That would be cool."

Jack Nicklaus is the only man to have repeated as captain for an American team - although reports had suggested that Davis Love III could be asked to fill the role again in 2014, despite having seen his charges lose at Medinah in September.

David Toms, Jim Furyk and Phil Mickelson have also all been put forward as possible captaincy candidates for 2014.

World rankings: 1. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 2. Luke Donald (ENG), 3. Tiger Woods (USA), 4. Justin Rose (ENG), 5. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), 6. Lee Westwood (ENG), 7. Adam Scott (AUS), 8. Jason Dufner (USA), 9. Bubba Watson (USA), 10. Brandt Snedeker (USA), 11. Webb Simpson (USA), 12. Keegan Bradley (USA), 13. Ian Poulter (ENG), 14. Graeme McDowell (NIR), 15. Phil Mickelson (USA), 16. Steve Stricker (USA), 17. Nick Watney (USA), 18. Peter Hanson (SWE), 19. Matt Kuchar (USA), 20. Sergio Garcia (ESP).

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