The 48-year-old Scot, who won the 1985 Open at Royal St George's and then the 1988 Masters and , who also played in five Ryder Cups, was one of Ian Woosnam's assistants in Europe's crushing triumph over the USA at the K Club last month and feels he has served the right apprenticeship to take on the job and handle it successfully.

But with Nick Faldo already in place for Europe's defence at Valhalla, Kentucky, in two years time, Lyle knows his chances of leading the team are limited - especially with Colin Montgomerie already being touted as a potential captain when the Ryder Cup returns to Europe to Celtic Manor.

"I don't have that 10 or 15 years to wait," Lyle told The Guardian this week.

"I've only got a window of the next six years at most.

"What looks good timing would be 2010 at the Celtic Manor in Wales. That is the one I would be lobbying for.

"Most of my era have already been Ryder Cup captains. There's not many of us left so I think I've got a good chance.

"If the quality of your character works in a team and you can front the Ryder Cup as a captain, speak well and work well with the team, that's half the battle."