Colin Montgomerie marked his first day as Europe's Ryder Cup captain by warning the United States they only have the trophy on loan.
The 45-year-old Scotsman has been a Ryder Cup hero out on the course in previous years, but in 2010 he intends to steer Europe's finest to glory at Celtic Manor in his new role.
He is determined to instil a winning mentality in his team and Montgomerie was clear about his ambitions as he addressed the challenge of taking on Corey Pavin's American side.
"My message to my players is very easy, we go and claim back the Ryder Cup," said Montgomerie.
"I have been given a task not just to captain this team in Wales but to win back the Ryder Cup in Wales.
"We feel something is missing, the last three captains have had the privilege of sitting with the Ryder Cup in front of them and I don't. It is my job to make that come true for the following captain in 2012.
"It is a very responsible position that I now hold and with that comes an awful lot of responsibility, but for the European Tour's sake I hope it will end up in victory."
Montgomerie succeeded Nick Faldo as captain following a unanimous decision from the players' tournament committee and described it as "the greatest honour for a European".
Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal, who was vice-captain to Faldo in the defeat at Valhalla last September, had been a potential candidate for the job, along with Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam.
But the fact Montgomerie is still a regular fixture on the European Tour swung the decision firmly the way of the five-time former Ryder Cup winner.
Montgomerie only emerged as a front-runner two weeks ago in Abu Dhabi when Sweden's Henrik Stenson was the first to put his name forward.
He had previously indicated he wanted to return to the team next year to win a ninth cap as a player, and wait until Gleneagles in 2014 to take up the captaincy.
But with Europe now boasting 11 of the world's top 30 and Montgomerie playing alongside the likes of Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington each week, it was decided next year was his time after an out-of-touch Faldo failed to inspire a fourth consecutive European victory last year.
"The players changed my mind about playing in 2010," said Montgomerie.
"I have always had huge respect for the players on the European Tour and I've been listening and taking heed of what they've been saying and it just seems the time is right for me to take the helm and be captain.
"With the wealth of talent we have on the European Tour we could field three teams that are as almost as strong as each other. We have new talent emerging and a nucleus of a team, but we have a nucleus of a team that I will be very excited to captain."
Montgomerie made the first of eight Ryder Cup appearances in 1991 under Bernard Gallacher and went on to playing on winning teams in 1995, 1997, 2002, 2004 and 2006.
"This is one of the proudest moments I can think of. I am very proud and honoured to be selected by the committee to be the 2010 Ryder Cup captain," said Montgomerie.
"It's not just an honour but a huge responsibility as well having lost the last Ryder Cup in Valhalla. It is important we do everything we can, and I promise I will do everything he can, to claim back the Ryder Cup in Wales in 2010."
The eight-time Order of Merit winner has not lost any of the eight singles matches he has played in the Ryder Cup and has won 23.5 points in total, putting him just 1.5 points behind the record held by Faldo.
But he ruled out any prospect of being a playing captain next year.
"All the points I earn as a player for the Ryder Cup will be nullified," he said.
"I will not in any way, shape or form come anywhere near to qualifying for the team.
"I am captain and a very proud and honoured man right now."
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COLIN MONTGOMERIE FACTFILE
