HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark has today been named as an official ambassador to The 2018 Ryder Cup by his fellow countryman, European Captain Thomas Bjørn.
The announcement came as the calendar marks 100 days to go until the start of the biennial contest against the United States of America, which will be played at Le Golf National on the outskirts of Paris from September 28-30.
The duo met, appropriately, in central Paris for a celebratory handshake in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower; the Crown Prince being in the French capital for an International Olympic Committee meeting, having been a member of the IOC since 2009 and having been part of the decision to award the Games to Paris in 2024.
Crown Prince Frederik said; “I am absolutely delighted to accept the position as an Ambassador for The 2018 Ryder Cup. It is a great honour and one made extra special by the fact it comes in the year of Thomas Bjørn’s captaincy – the best golfing ambassador Denmark could wish for.
“I have played golf with Thomas and seen at first hand his passion for Europe and for The Ryder Cup and I am proud, just as is everyone in the country, to see him make history as the first Dane to captain the team.
“He is a great leader and I am confident that his multiple Ryder Cup experiences as a player and vice-captain will ensure the European team the best possible position heading into what will surely be a dramatic week.”
Bjørn said: “I am truly honoured to present HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark as an ambassador for The 2018 Ryder Cup. His involvement in sport is well known and his work with the IOC, alongside his generous support for Danish sporting teams through his life has been amazing.
“We formed a strong relationship on the course when we played together and it is a great and humbling experience for me, as Captain, to now be able to continue that relationship off the course. On behalf of myself, the team and everyone associated with Ryder Cup Europe, I am delighted to thank His Royal Highness for his support.”
The Crown Prince joins world record-setting French sailor Armel Le Cléac’h and Ukrainian footballing legend Andriy Shevchenko as official ambassadors to The 2018 Ryder Cup.
The 2018 Ryder Cup will see the United States start as holders, having triumphed at Hazeltine National in 2016, but will also see Europe protect a proud and impressive home record which has seen them undefeated on home soil for 25 years.
General admission tickets for the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of Ryder Cup week are still available from €45. Along with seeing the two teams hone their games for the match itself, spectators can experience The Ryder Cup Celebrity Match (Tuesday), Golf Sixes at The Ryder Cup (Wednesday) and The Opening Ceremony and Concert (Thursday). To find out more visit www.rydercup.com/tickets