Harrington tasked with masterminding Europe's Ryder Cup defence

Padraig Harrington has been handed the task of defending Europe's Ryder Cup title in the United States in 2020 after being named team captain on Tuesday.

The three-time major winner succeeds Dane Thomas Bjorn and becomes just the second golfer from the Republic of Ireland to take the reins for the tournament after Paul McGinley, who was victorious in 2014.

Harrington -- who has won 30 titles worldwide -- was selected by a five man panel, which included McGinley, Bjorn and the losing 2016 skipper Darren Clarke.

"I'm thrilled to be named as Ryder Cup captain for 2020, it's not something I went into lightly," he said.

"I'm putting it on the line -- we know when you're a successful Ryder Cup captain it's great and a losing captain -- it's his fault."