No rush over cup captaincy

The decision on who takes over from Nick Faldo as Europe's Ryder Cup captain seems unlikely to be made before May.

But Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, chairman of the tournament committee that will discuss the position in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, insisted that any delay would not be to allow Jose Maria Olazabal more time to make up his mind whether he wants to be in charge in Wales next year.

"I'm not naming any names, but we are not holding out for anybody," said Bjorn. "We need to think long and hard about it."

He added: "The list of candidates is long and the longer we take the longer it will probably get, but we're not putting ourselves in a position where we have to announce it on Tuesday.

"We want to go through all the factors that come into being Ryder Cup captain. There have been a lot of feelings expressed about this captaincy and the last one and we want that to settle.

"We are going to take our time. We don't need to decide - the time when we do is before the points start in September.

"I would not be surprised if we don't announce it tomorrow. It's not set in stone.

"There are some very good candidates for many years to come."

Olazabal, captain of the European team beaten by Asia in the Royal Trophy in Bangkok at the weekend, said there: "I would love to be considered, I'm not going to deny that.

"I would love to be playing and I think maybe it is too soon, but time will tell."