91Èȱ¬

Europe captain Paul McGinley has chosen Sam Torrance and Des Smyth as his vice-captains for the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in September.

Scot Torrance, 60, captained Europe to victory at the Belfry in 2002, 17 years after holing the winning putt at the same venue.

Irishman Smyth, 61, was a vice-captain under Ian Woosnam in the thumping 18½-9½ win at the K Club in 2006.

"They were the first two people I had in mind for this role," said McGinley.

McGinley will name two more vice-captains for the match, which sees holders Europe take on the United States from 26-28 September.

United States captain Tom Watson has already appointed four-time major winner Ray Floyd and double US Open champion Andy North as his vice-captains.

The Americans have not won the trophy in Europe since 1993, when Watson was captain for the first time.

Irishman McGinley, 47, added: "As well as being good friends, they are two guys that I greatly admire both personally and professionally and I know they will be vital assets to me in Scotland in September.

"Des took me under his wing when I was a young rookie on Tour and he gave me tremendous advice.

"His views and ideas about the Ryder Cup particularly have consistently proved to be spot on and I really enjoyed working with him as a vice-captain in 2006, when I was a player."

Torrance, who has 43 professional wins, made eight consecutive appearances in the Ryder Cup as a player between 1981 and 1995, winning four times.

McGinley added: "Sam is a man who has probably had the most influence on me in terms of playing team golf in my career.

"Being my first captain in the Ryder Cup in 2002, I learned a huge amount from him and have continued to do so over the years."

Smyth was also named as a vice-captain to Miguel Angel Jimenez for the inaugural EurAsia Cup between Europe and Asia, which takes place later this month.