Bjorn getting his shot at Team Europe helm

Thomas Bjorn was appointed captain of Europe's 2018 Ryder Cup team on Tuesday - a reward for his long and successful association with the event as a player and vice-captain as well as his commitment to the European Tour.

The 45-year-old Dane is the first Scandinavian to lead the European team, which will look to regain the cup at Le Golf National in Paris in 2018 after its 17-11 loss to the United States at Hazeltine in October.

"I have lived and breathed the European Tour for so long, and now I will do the same with the Ryder Cup for the next two years," Bjorn said.