It's official: Pavin selected Ryder Cup captain

NEW YORK (AP) -- Corey Pavin has been selected the next U.S. captain for the Ryder Cup, leading a team in 2010 that will try to successfully defend the cup for the first time since 1993.

Pavin is a former U.S. Open champion with 15 victories on the PGA Tour. He played in three Ryder Cups and had an 8-5-0 record.

The 49-year-old Pavin takes over for Paul Azinger, who helped the U.S. end a decade of European dominance at the Ryder Cup with a 16 1/2-11 1/2 victory in September at Valhalla.

The official announcement was made Thursday morning at a news conference in New York