World record-setting sailor Armel Le Cléac’h has been named as Team Europe’s first ambassador for The 2018 Ryder Cup as Ryder Cup Europe celebrates 500 days to go until the The 42nd Ryder Cup tees off at Le Golf National in Paris from September 25-30, 2018.
Le Cléac’h, who started his sailing career in 1999, set a new record in the 2016-17 Vendée Globe as he successfully circumnavigated the globe single-handedly in just over 74 days.
The professional navigator and sea captain from Breton sailed non-stop and without assistance four days faster than the previous record, set in 2013.
“I’m proud to be an ambassador of next year’s Ryder Cup in France and to attend what will be a global event,” said Le Cléac’h. “I am delighted to be part of this adventure and to show that golf is a truly accessible and exciting sport, just like any other.
“It is going to be a great honour to be there and to follow this very, very high-class competition. It’s going to be amazing and the atmosphere will be unbelievable. It’s up to us, the people of France and Europe, to push our team towards a historic win, the first on French soil.”
European Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn said: “I cannot think of a more appropriate way to mark 500 days to go until the start of The 2018 Ryder Cup, than to announce Armel Le Cléac’h as our first official Ryder Cup Ambassador.
“What he achieved in winning the Vendée Globe in a world record time earlier this year was truly remarkable and we will be looking for the same levels of grit, determination and skill from the European Team in 16 months’ time when we face up to the United States.
“I know the adulation Armel rightly enjoys from the French public and we are very much looking forward to enjoying the same backing, not just from the French fans, but from across all of Europe – at Le Golf National next September.”
To celebrate 500 days to go, Ryder Cup Europe have announced the launch of the Milestone Collection. The first item in the collection, a limited edition Ryder Cup Titleist golf ball, will be given as a free gift with the first 500 orders from the Official European Ryder Cup shop from today.
Ticket registrations for The 2018 Ryder Cup is currently open for all fans to create their ticket account so they can access the first come, first served sale at the end of September 2017.
As part of a special celebration for 500 days to go, Ryder Cup Europe is offering one fan the chance to win two season passes to The 2018 Ryder Cup. To enter fans need to create their ticket account by Wednesday May 31, 2017 with the winner to be drawn at random. Any fan who has already created their ticket account will automatically be entered into the draw to win, unless they don't want to and can opt out by emailing rydercuptickets@europeantour.com. For terms and conditions click here.
For more information on the ticketing process for The 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National, including ticket types and pricing, please visit rydercup.com/tickets.
