Pavin appoints four assistants for 2010 Ryder Cup

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

PACIFIC PALISADES, California (Reuters) - U.S. captain Corey Pavin appointed Tom Lehman, Davis Love III, Jeff Sluman and Paul Goydos on Wednesday as his assistants for this year's Ryder Cup against Europe.

Lehman, the 2006 skipper at the K Club and British Open champion in 1996, played on three Ryder Cup teams with an overall win-loss-half record of 5-3-2.

Love, winner of the 1997 PGA Championship, has appeared in the biennial match on six occasions, compiling a 9-12-5 record.

Sluman, the 1988 PGA champion, and PGA Tour journeyman Goydos have never competed in a Ryder Cup but they are both veterans on the U.S. circuit who are highly respected by their peers.

"I have hand-picked my four assistants because of their intelligence, experience and their ability to express their own opinions to me without hesitation," Pavin told a news conference at Riviera Country Club.

"Each of my assistants have unique perspectives to bring to the table which I believe will bring a great balance of leadership to Team USA.

"Tom and Davis have been long-time friends of mine," added Pavin, who was an assistant to Lehman at the 2006 Ryder Cup.

"Tom and I joined for his first Ryder Cup match and Davis and I were on the U.S. team in 1993 that brought home the Cup from The Belfry -- the last time the USA won on foreign soil.

"Jeff is a major champion, a seasoned veteran who has been a success on both the regular and the Champions Tour. Paul is well-liked, a fine player and a good judge of talent and well respected over the 18 years he has been on Tour.

"I will lean on them for advice, and I am delighted that they have accepted to be a part of our team this year."

The 2010 Ryder Cup will take place at Celtic Manor resort in Wales from October 1-3 when the U.S. will defend the trophy they won by 16-1/2 points to 11-1/2 at Valhalla Golf Club in 2008.

(Editing by Justin Palmer; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)