Pavin, Roberts named assistant captains for 2006 Ryder Cup

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - U.S. Captain Tom Lehman has named former teammates Corey Pavin and Loren Roberts, players with a combined four appearances in the Ryder Cup, to serve as assistant captains for the 2006 U.S. Ryder Cup Team.

Pavin, 45, winner of the 1995 U.S. Open, and Roberts, 49, competed on the 1995 U.S. Ryder Cup Team at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y. Pavin also was a U.S. Team member in 1991 and 1993 and owns an 8-5-0 match record. Roberts posted a 3-1-0 record in his lone appearance in 1995.

The 36th Ryder Cup Matches will be contested Sept. 22-24, 2006, at The K Club in Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland.

"Corey and Loren are close friends and contemporaries of mine," said Lehman. "When the pressure is on, these are the guys I want around me. They have proven to be extremely tough competitors and have risen to the occasion numerous times in their careers.

"Corey's record as a competitor is respected throughout golf. He's one of the best pressure putters I've seen, and his tenacity while a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup Team was inspirational. Loren built a reputation as a superb putter, which is a talent that is magnified in the Ryder Cup Matches. He is also is a great competitor and will complement our overall preparations for the matches."

Pavin owns 14 PGA TOUR victories, 12 international titles and was runner-up in the 1994 PGA Championship. Roberts has won eight TOUR titles and was runner-up to Ernie Els in the 1994 U.S. Open, being defeated on the 20th hole following an 18-hole playoff.

The 2006 American team that will compete against Europe won't be finalized until following the 88th PGA Championship in August 2006 at Medinah (Ill.) Country Club.