GIDONIA MONTECHELIA, Italy (AP) – For the first time since being appointed captain of the European team, Henrik Stanson got acquainted with the Italian course for the Rider Cup next year.
He had a couple of assistants on Marc Simone’s courses outside of Rome.
Eduardo Malinari, an Italian golfer, was appointed second vice-captain on Monday. Thomas Bjorn, a former captain, has already been promoted to assistant this month.
“We talked a few times about the statistics and what I could do to help the team,” Malinari said of his previous conversations with Stenson, “but I never expected that.”
Malinari said he thought Stanson was joking.
“We’ve known each other for so many years, and he’s always been a man who jokes a lot,” Malinari said. “However, for an Italian player it is above all dreams. When I started playing golf, I never thought I’d get to it. “
Malinari and his younger brother Francesco were part of the winning European team at the 2010 Ryder Cup in Wales.
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