JUSTIN ROSE became the latest big name to back Padraig Harrington as Europes next Ryder Cup captain.
And Rose says he is trying to work out Europes next TEN captains, because it will be difficult to find room for the host of star candidates over the next couple of decades.
Rose, 38, who hosts the Sky Sports British Masters which starts tomorrow at Surreys Walton Heath, is certain to get the nod after playing on five Ryder Cup teams, three of them as a winner.
The last five European captains have all been under 50 Sir Nick Faldo got the job at 51 in 2008, when he was clearly out of touch with the players he was leading.
Since then it has become an unwritten rule all captains should still be playing on the European Tour.
Triple Major king Harrington, 47, ticks all the boxes but only if he is appointed as captain for Whistling Straits in two years time.
At 45, Lee Westwood will be the ideal age to succeed Harrington when it returns to Europe, in Italy in 2022.
Rose said: Padraig, for me, would be the front-runner for 2020. I would say as a three-time Major champion, and clearly a European legend, he is the favourite but youve also got Lee Westwood.
Its interesting when you try to project out who the possible captains are for the next ten Ryder Cups.
But if Padraig doesnt do it this time then Im not sure you have got to start fitting guys in.
Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood will renew their bromance at Walton Heath.
Moliwood, have been drawn in the same group for the first two rounds, along with another Paris hero, Thorbjorn Olesen.
Meanwhile, Dustin Johnson has tried to heal the rift with USA side-kick Brooks Koepka, who was yesterday named the US Tours player of the year after winning the US Open and the USPGA.
Koepka, 28, infamously had a spat with gym buddy Johnson at the Ryder Cup.
But the world No1 tweeted: Congratulatons @bkoepka. Great season bro. POY...well deserved.
European Ryder Cup heroes have a champagne fight and mess about on golf buggies after win