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Rose backs Bjorn as Ryder Cup captain

Hong Kong - Olympic champion Justin Rose said on Wednesday Europe's newly-appointed 2018 Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn was "well-qualified" for the role - but said the French crowd may not be as partisan as the Americans.

Paris will host the next Ryder Cup with the 45-year-old Dane, who served as vice-captain for four previous Ryder Cups, succeeding Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke.

"He's going to have a very hands-on approach with the players," said Rose, part of this year's European team who lost 17-11 to the United States at Hazeltine in a one-sided defeat.

"He's been involved obviously in the last few Ryder Cups as a vice captain and I think you probably learn more about being a captain as a vice captain then you do playing."

Rose added: "I'm sure he's picked up a lot of tips along the way, and he'll certainly be a very qualified captain."

Bjorn, who is Denmark's most successful golfer, played in three Ryder Cups, finishing on the winning side in 1997, 2002 and 2014, and twice finished second in the British Open.

Rose cautioned the French crowd in 2018 may not be so vociferous as the Americans at Hazeltine, where Europe lost to the US for the first time since 2008.

"It will be easier for them probably in France than maybe it was for us in Hazeltine," Rose said.

"But I think that Team USA and everybody that goes with it and the crowd, they really, really, really wanted this one, and it was definitely an amped up crowd."

The Englishman, who has played in four Ryder Cups, said Europe's struggles in October came as the team underwent a "changing of the guard" which saw six newcomers chosen.

He said: "I think we're the hungry ones now, certainly I'm speaking for myself. I certainly want to get back to winning ways in Paris.

"I think all the rookies that we were able to blood this year around are going to find it a much more pleasant and enjoyable experience playing at home, and they are going to have the experience of what the Ryder Cup is all about."

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