Sam Torrance and Des Smyth will be part of Paul McGinley's Ryder Cup management team this year.
Paul McGinley: His team is coming together
The experienced pair were on Thursday unveiled as McGinley's vice-captains for the European team at Gleneagles, Scotland, in September.
Torrance made his Ryder Cup debut in 1981 and he went onto play in eight consecutive tournaments, including the 1985 edition at the Belfry when he holed the winning putt to end Europe's 28-year drought.
McGinley also played under Torrance at the Belfry in 2002 where it was the Irishman's turn to produce the putt at the 18th to reclaim the trophy.
Smyth, who won 25 titles as a professional, represented Europe in the Ryder Cups as a player in 1979 and 1981 and he mentored McGinley during the start of his career on the European Tour.
"As well as being good friends, they are two guys that I greatly admire both personally and professionally and I know they will be vital assets to me in Scotland in September," McGinley said.
"They were the first two people I had in mind for this role when I was appointed captain and, since then, I have talked to a lot of the experienced European players about having them as part of the team and, to a man, they have been very supportive of the idea. Des took me under his wing when I was a young rookie on Tour and he gave me tremendous advice which was not only valuable then but has continued to ring true for me throughout my professional career.
"Sam is a man who has probably had the most influence on me in terms of playing team golf in my career. Being my first captain in the Ryder Cup in 2002, I learned a huge amount from him and have continued to do so over the years."
McGinley is expected to appoint two more vice-captains with Darren Clarke and Miguel Angel Jimenez the favourites to land the positions.
His United States counterpart Tom Watson has named Raymond Floyd and Andy North as two of his deputies.
golf365.com