Golf - Ryder Cup: The United States will name a new Ryder Cup captain on Thursday after Paul Azinger revealed he will not be standing for the role.

Azinger, who guided the Americans to a 16.5 to 11.5 victory over Europe in September, said he will not be the captain of the US team in 2010 at Celtic Manor in Wales.

"All I can say is that it's not going to be me," Paul Azinger told Golf Digest magazine. "You'll find out who it is on Thursday."

Azinger was widely praised for breaking the Europeans' stranglehold on the Cup, leading the Americans to their first victory since 1999.

For that reason, there was sentiment that Azinger may return for the next Ryder Cup but today's announcement quelled that notion.

Azinger previously declared his interest in returning as captain but would not elaborate about whether he was contacted about retaining the position.
   
Europe had held the trophy since 2002, winning the last two matches by record (18.5-9.5) scores, before Azinger revamped the qualification process, gave himself four captain's picks and led a team without world number one Tiger Woods to victory.
   
The US team have not had the same captain for two successive Ryder Cups since Ben Hogan in 1949.
   
The last time a captain with previous experience returned to lead the US team was Jack Nicklaus in 1987. He was also captain in 1983.

Among the leader contenders to be named the new captain is Corey Pavin, who was an assistant under Tom Lehman for the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K-Club.