Azinger says he had no interest in 2016 Ryder Cup captaincy

Thanks, but no thanks.

Paul Azinger, the last man to lead the U.S. to a win in the Ryder Cup back in 2008, didn’t want another crack at the job in 2016.

“I had no interest in being the captain in 2016 for many reasons, personal and business,” Azinger said, according to Golf Channel.

In fact, Azinger recommended to the PGA of America’s 11-man Ryder Cup task force that Davis Love III get a chance to avenge his team’s 2012 loss at Medinah. Love is expected to be named ’16 captain at PGA of America headquarters in Florida in Feb. 24.

“If true, Davis is an excellent choice for many reasons,” Azinger said. “He’s still connected to the players. He was very prepared and thorough in 2012. Davis will bring much needed continuity to the process.”

Azinger and 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples were the two names most clamored for by fans and players alike after the U.S. lost the biennial matches in September 2014 for the third consecutive time. Shortly after the loss at Gleneagles, Phil Mickelson wondered why the PGA of America had gone away from Azinger’s system — and into the less player-friendly methods of ’14 captain Tom Watson.

Mickelson’s commentary led to the formation of the task force, of which he is a part, as well Love. Azinger declined to be a part of that committee, which was tasked with identifying a 2016 captain as well a long-term, repeatable approach to the matches.

American fans would love to see a repeat of how Love’s strategy worked for the first two days of the 2012 matches. They’ll ultimately hope, however, for the final outcome Azinger helped deliver.

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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