Alex Noren gets 'shock' late call up to European Ryder Cup team by Luke Donald

Alex Noren admits he was "shocked" to be named as Europe's fifth and final vice-captain for this month's Ryder Cup in New York. 

Sweden's Noren, who secured two points out of a possible three on his Ryder Cup debut at Le Golf National in 2018, will make his first appearance in a leadership role at the biennial showdown. 

The 43-year-old joins English captain Luke Donald's backroom team for the 2025 event at Bethpage Black alongside stats guru Edoardo 'Dodo' Molinari, Francesco Molinari, Thomas Bjorn and Jose Maria Olazabal.

"It was a big shock when I found out," Noren said. "I didn't expect it at all. I want to bring a good attitude to the team room. Bring some knowledge. I've been in this game a long time.

"This Ryder Cup is going to be one of the toughest ones to win because of where it is. It's going to be a very tough crowd, but I think that can feed our players as well.

"All of us who are part of the team have played a lot in America, so we're used to the fans, we're used to the courses, the course setups.

"We don't get to be part of team events that often. We all know how much it means for everybody who's part of it, and who has played on it and we're looking forward to it."

Donald announced his six captain's picks on 1 September. 

The former World No.1 elected to retain the core of his side that won in Rome two years ago. 

Donald named Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg and Matthew Fitzpatrick as his six wildcards. 

They join Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Robert MacIntyre, Tyrrell Hatton and Rasmus Hojgaard.

It means there is only one change from the 12-man team that completed the Italian job, with Rasmus taking the place of his twin brother Nicolai. 

Noren was seen as a potential captain's pick for the Bethpage showdown. He won the British Masters last month and was considered a strong option to take to New York given his experience. 

Harry Hall, Marco Penge and Matt Wallace missed out. 

Of Noren, Donald said: "I'm really delighted to announce Alex Noren as our final vice captain. 

"Alex brings a lot to the table, he is obviously a Ryder Cup player himself, having played in 2018 in France, and he has played on both the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour at very high level.

"I am excited to have him on board with the team and he just couldn't have been happier, more honoured, to take the role.

"He will do everything that he can to help the team. He's a humble guy, it’s never about Alex. It's always about the team and I just think he has great characteristics, which will be vital for his role as a vice captain.

"I love Alex's demeanour, his work ethic, how he goes about things. He prepares as well as anyone when it comes to his golf. And you know that is important."

He added: "There's a bond there with some of the Scandinavian players on our team, but he gets along so well with everyone.

"He is a good friend of mine, we practise together at the Bears Club where other players who are going to be on that team also practise. 

"So he has a great familiarity with a lot of the guys and I think that's really useful.

"It's full steam ahead now. I'm extremely excited to have everything in place, the last pieces of the puzzle. The team is set, the VCs are set, and we're ready to go."