Woosnam and Faldo during the Ryder Cup at Oak Hill in 1995

Committee member Colin Montgomerie said: "We broke protocol and picked two captains which we felt was a very, very positive thing to do."

Woosnam takes charge in Ireland in 2006, with Faldo appointed for 2008.

Thomas Bjorn, a European team member in 1997 and 2002, said: "They deserve it and will make wonderful captains."

He added: "This was something we wanted to do because we thought it could settle everything down for the next two Ryder Cups."

[Woosnam] has all the experience necessary to be a leader and I know that his team will reflect his tenacity Tom Lehman 2006 US captain

The Woosnam appointment was roundly praised by victorious 2002 skipper Sam Torrance.

Woosnam was vice-captain to the Scot when the Europeans won back the cup at The Belfry that year.

"I'm delighted for Ian Woosnam," the 51-year-old Torrance said.

"The man deserves to be given the chance and I think that he will do a great job as captain of the European team.

"Ian was a fantastic vice-captain to me at The Belfry in 2002 and I think he will be great in the captain's role.

"He was fantastic with both the young players and the more experienced guys at The Belfry and can use that experience to help him next year."

Tom Lehman, Woosnam's rival captain next year in Ireland, also said it had been a wise choice.

"Of the three Ryder Cup teams that I've been a member, two of them came when Ian was playing for Europe," he said.

They have been in many Ryder Cups and know what is needed Bernhard Langer

"I have great respect for him and his competitive ability.

"With eight Ryder Cup appearances under his belt, he has all the experience necessary to be a leader and I know that his team will reflect his tenacity."

Montgomerie, who sank Europe's winning putt in Detroit in 2004, said: "We have a golden opportunity to become the first European side to win the Ryder Cup three times in a row.

"And it would be super to win it under Ian Woosnam, someone that we all have a lot of respect for as an individual and as a talent."

He added: "As someone who is a real competitor, he will bring that competitiveness to the Ryder Cup. I certainly look forward to it."

The outgoing European captain Bernhard Langer applauded the double appointment.

We have two great champions and feel they are the right men for the job Jamie Spence

"They are in the age bracket where they are still involved with the players but are not going to make it as players outright.

"Both are very experienced. They have been in many Ryder Cups and know what is needed."

Of Nick Faldo, Langer added: "He's had a wonderful career and it was very much the feeling that we wanted to be seen to give this honour to two guys who've done so much for the Tour."

Chairman of the committee, Jamie Spence, re-iterated that view: "We felt come obligation towards Nick to be honest and didn't think it was fair to make him hang on.

"We have two great champions and feel they are the right men for the job," said Spence.

And from a neutral point of view, South Africa's Ernie Els also lent his support for Woosnam:

"He's been a stalwart of the Tour for so many years and the great thing about Woosie is he's currently still in the game and he's great with the guys and he has played many Ryder Cups," said Els.

Woosnam will captain Europe at the K Club in County Kildare, Ireland in 2006, while Faldo will take over at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky in 2008.