Ryder Cup: Miguel Angel Jimenez named Europe assistant

Miguel Angel Jimenez has been named as Europe's fourth assistant captain for next month's Ryder Cup.

Jimenez, who was a vice-captain under Seve Ballesteros in 1997, was named by European captain Jose Maria Olazabal and joins Thomas Bjorn, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley.

United States captain Davis Love also has four in Fred Couples, Mike Hulbert, Scott Verplank and Jeff Sluman.

"I now have four world-class golfers as my vice-captains," said Olazabal.

"All have tremendous experience of playing in the Ryder Cup, which is absolutely invaluable."

Jimenez had not played in a Ryder Cup when Ballesteros called on him to help in the first match on Spanish soil at Valderrama, though he played for Europe in 1999, 2004, 2008 and 2010.

"You know he has a very simple and great philosophy - he always sees the positive side and makes people feel better," added Olazabal.

"He shares with Thomas, Darren and Paul that passion, commitment and desire to win and like them I know he will encourage everyone in the team room.

"I now have four great friends behind me - four guys I know, four guys I trust and four guys familiar with this contest, which is so important because the Ryder Cup is unique."

The fact that Olazabal did not originally name Jimenez at the same time as Bjorn, Clarke and McGinley was because he still had a chance of a wild card.

But the 18-time European Tour winner missed the halfway cut at the final qualifying event on Friday, the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.