Alex Noren explains his role ahead of 2025 Ryder Cup

European Ryder Cup vice-captain Alex Noren has explained his role within the team ahead of the matches against Team USA. 

Luke Donald's dozen clash with Keegan Bradley's United States next week at Bethpage Black in New York. 

Europe touched down in the Big Apple yesterday, 24 hours after Sweden's Noren upstaged his teammates at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. 

The 43-year-old tour veteran is taking on a leadership role within the team for the very first time and is perhaps somewhat unfortunate he isn't playing. 

Victories at the British Masters and the DP World Tour's flagship event illustrated there is life in the old dog yet - but they arrived too late. 

Noren told Sky Sports Golf he has been told by Donald specifically what his role will be. 

"I think my role is an extra set of eyes for Luke," he said. 

"He's doing the most part, and the other vice-captains have done a lot of work.

"Knowing about a month and a half ago I was going to be a vice-captain, I asked Luke, 'what do you want out of me?' 

"Obviously, I'm not going to coach or captain much.

"He said, 'you're going to be an extra set of eyes over a few players and be of any service they need.'

"I've only played one time but I know it's different to play Ryder Cup than anything else. I'll do whatever they ask me to do.

"I'm really happy to be part of the team because I think Bethpage will be an incredible venue for the Ryder Cup."

Who are Donald's vice-captains?

Former skipper Thomas Bjorn - who oversaw Europe's victory in Paris seven years ago - has returned to the role. 

He was joined Jose Maria Olazabal and stats guru Edoardo 'Dodo' Molinari. 

Edoardo's older brother, Francesco, will also serve as one of Donald's vice-captains. 

In 2023, Donald had Nicolas Colsaerts on the leadership team but the Englishman has opted for Noren. 

Paul McGinley explains recce to Bethpage

Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has joined Europe this week for their trip to Bethpage. 

Rory McIlroy was spotted bombing a driver over the trees on the daunting opening hole. 

McGinley told Sky Sports Golf that the trip was planned more than a year ago. 

"He's got some guest speakers, he's got some ideas that the players are going to see," he said.  

"Everybody will obviously play the golf course too.And we'll do the back-of-house stuff. 

"We'll get the tailoring done - all the stuff you would normally do in Ryder Cup week, that's going to be done in the next few days on top of playing the course.

"It's a real good bonding week. It worked very well going into Italy. It's taken a lot of effort. 

"A lot of credit to the players, every one of them six months out said absolutely if they make the team, they'll be on the trip."