Paul Lawrie says changing Ryder Cup captaincy process would be 'a joke'

Paul Lawrie says it will be “a joke” and lead to “fun and games” if Henrik Stenson’s replacement as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain isn’t one of the three other original candidates.

The Swede was selected in March after a process that also saw Lawrie, Luke Donald and Robert Karlsson interviewed for the post for the 2023 match in Rome.

Following Stenson being stripped of the captaincy over his decision to sign up for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series, the job is up for grabs again.

If the initial process is repeated, the new captain will be picked by the three most recent ones - Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn and Padraig Harrington - as well as DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley and David Howell, chairman of the tournament players’ committee.

“My situation has not changed,” said Lawrie, speaking at Gleneagles, where he is playing in this week’s Senior Open Presented by Rolex.

“I assume they just go back to the way they did it before, with the five guys voting on the now three people who were up for the job initially. I’m led to believe that might not be the case.

“And, if it’s not the case then it’s a joke, to be honest. It has to be the same way as it was before.

“You’re still trying to appoint the captain for a role, you’re not looking for something different. So let’s see what happens. I’ve not heard anything.”

Asked why he felt the process might be different, the two-time Ryder Cup player added: “You hear Thomas’s name is being banded about now. I don’t see how that can be the case. He’s voting.

“How can you get the job when you are voting? I don’t get it. But we’ll wait and see. Nobody knows what is happening. I think it’s next week when they decide.

“The four people who were up for the job, five people