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The 45-year-old, three times a player in the biennial
contest, becomes the first Scandinavian to be handed the
captaincy.
"We had terrific candidates. The three past captains were the
key decision makers in selecting Thomas," European Tour chief
executive Keith Pelley said.
"They put a great case together for Thomas...we are thrilled to
have one of the great Danes as our Ryder Cup captain."
Bjorn was an assistant to Darren Clarke at Minnesota's Hazeltine
National this year, when Europe lost 17-11 as the Americans
ended a run of three successive defeats.
The Dane, also an assistant in 2004, 2010 and 2012, played in
the Cup in 1997 under Seve Ballesteros and in 2002 and 2014.
"It's amazing...I watched a lot of captains as a player and as a
vice-captain and I always wondered what that feeling would be
like to be the man in charge, and heading a team of 12 great
players," Bjorn said.
"Now it's my turn to do it. To lead them out will obviously be a
great honor."
Bjorn, who becomes only the fourth skipper from continental
Europe, and Ireland's Padraig Harrington were seen as
frontrunners for the job.
The three past captains in the decision-making process were
Clarke, Paul McGinley and Jose Maria Olazabal.
A 15-times European Tour winner, Bjorn knows the host venue well
after playing there 14 times in the Open de France with a best
finish of third in 2007.
"Thomas has many wonderful characteristics which he will bring
to the role of captain," said Pelley, highlighting the Dane's
experience and commitment as the first two.
"Thirdly, he has passion. Not only for this wonderful game, but
for the European Tour and Team Europe and he wants the Ryder Cup
to be the greatest sporting event it can be," he added.
"So when you look at these characteristics, I am convinced they
will make him a great Ryder Cup captain."
Some of that passion was evident in 2006 when Bjorn branded
captain Ian Woosnam as "barmy" and "pathetic" for choosing Lee
Westwood as his second wildcard instead of him.
Woosnam acknowledged that Bjorn, who later apologized, "wasn't a
happy chappy when I told him".
(Editing by Ed Osmond)
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