Pavin to captain U.S. at 2010 Ryder Cup

(CNN) -- Corey Pavin will captain the United States team in the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales, it was announced on Thursday.

An emotional Pavin said it was a "dream come true" to be named in succession to Paul Azinger, who led the U.S. to an emphatic victory over Europe in Louisville, Kentucky in September.

There had been speculation that Azinger would continue in the role, but he let it be known at the start of the week that he would be standing down.

He will certainly be a tough act to follow for 49-year-old Pavin, who was an assistant to Tom Lehman as Europe retained the trophy with a crushing win at the K-Club in Ireland in 2006.

But he comes into the role with a considerable playing pedigree, having won the U.S. Open in 1995 and with a Ryder Cup record of eight wins and five defeats.

"I've been waiting for this day since I received the call last month, I'm very excited to be here," the Californian told a press conference in New York.

"In 1991 I played in my first Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island.

"Listening to the national anthem, experiencing the pressure for the first time, watching the last match between Hale Irwin and Bernhard Langer, and of course throwing captain Dave Stockton into the ocean, cemented my love for the Ryder Cup in my blood for ever."

Pavin's appearance at Kiawah Island attracted controversy as he and partner Steve Pate wore a "Desert Storm" cap during a match, but there is no doubting his determination as a competitor.

He will need all those qualities as the United States bid to win in Europe for the first time since 1993.

"Playing on foreign soil brings a whole new set of challenges; they will be able to set up Celtic Manor how they like and will have a passionate crowd on their side," Pavin admitted.

"I was proud to be part of the last winning team on foreign soil in 1993 and I encourage American fans to book tickets now to come and support us."

Azinger's team achieved victory at Valhalla even though they were without the injured Tiger Woods.

The world number one should be back for the first match to be held on Welsh soil, but despite his incredible playing record has been on the winning side only once in five matches in an era of European domination which ended abruptly this year.

Jose Maria Olazabal and 2006 captain Ian Woosnam are joint favorites to lead the European team at the 2010 match.

Spain's Olazabal was Nick Faldo's assistant in Valhalla.