Born in Austin and raised in Alexandria, PGA Tour Champions golfer Tom Lehman is Minnesotan through and through, particularly now that the Arizona resident will be spending summers here again. The 1996 British Open champion has played in three Ryder Cups, was the U.S. captain in 2006 and a vice captain in 2010. He will be one of Davis Love III's vice captains again when the U.S.-Europe competition comes to Minnesota for the first time at Hazeltine National in late September. While in Minneapolis last week to speak at the Minnesota Prayer Breakfast, he talked to the Star Tribune's Jerry Zgoda about his upcoming part in another Ryder Cup.

Q You've been a part of five Ryder Cups. What will it mean that your sixth is here at home in Minnesota?

A It's going to be an amazing event for the people of Minnesota. The Ryder Cup is just the most unique golf event in the world. It's such an amazing spectacle, so competitive and there's so much pride and so much passion. I'm so excited for the state of Minnesota to be a part of it. I'm excited for our fans here to carry us to victory. … I wish I was young enough that I could play still.

Q Will being a vice captain bring you here more often the next five months?

A Definitely that and also for the first time ever we've bought a little place up in Alexandria, so we'll be spending the summer up here and the summers going forward. I'll be here a lot more often.

Q Do vice captains have specific duties and, if so, what are yours?

A You know, it's whatever. Usually you're assigned to a group of guys and whether you're making peanut-butter sandwiches or carrying their rain gear or some guys you put your arm around and encourage them. The idea is, how do you get your team so they can fully focus on the task at hand, to be completely committed to it, to enjoy the challenge and embrace it and play their best. That's really the goal and purpose of the captains.

Q How well do you know Jordan Spieth and how do you think he'll respond to his Sunday experience at the Masters?

A I don't know him that well, but I would expect this is just a hiccup. My own personal belief is it's almost a testimony to what a great player he is because not many guys could hit it as erratically as he hit it the whole week and still have a chance to win. I don't know how many bogeys and doubles he made, but he made a lot and to still have a chance to with far less than your best game, it kind of tells you what a great player he is.

Q Anything in your career approach anything like that?

A Well, there are disappointments obviously. When you have a chance to win and you don't, there's always disappointment and it's the worst when you beat yourself. He knows he beat himself. But the great champions find a way to never let that happen again.

Q Did you cheer for your PGA Tour Champions mate, Bernhard Langer?

A I texted him on Saturday night. I thought he could win. I actually picked him in my pool. I thought he had a chance before the tournament started. He's tough enough. I'm surprised he didn't play better on Sunday. I thought for sure he would.