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Queen Elizabeth awards Ryder Cup captain an OBE

Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam received an award on British Queen Elizabeth II's New Year's Honors list yesterday for leading Europe to a third straight victory over the US.

Woosnam, who won the 1991 Masters and was ranked No. 1 for a total of 50 weeks, was given an Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for Europe's win at The K Club in Ireland in September.

Zara Phillips, daughter of Princess Anne and granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, became the first senior royal to win the honor of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Phillips won gold in eventing at the World Equestrian Games in Germany in August.

The 25-year-old also won the BBC sports personality of the year, 35 years after Princess Anne herself won the award for equestrianism.

"I'm honored I've been recognized for my achievements in equestrianism and pleased British Eventing nominated me -- I'm delighted for the sport,'' Phillips said.

England midfielder Steven Gerrard also picked up an MBE, a year after he led Liverpool to the Champions League title. He has also won the FA, League and UEFA Cups in his eight years at the Reds.

Reports that Real Madrid midfielder and former England captain David Beckham would receive a knighthood proved unfounded, as no sports person received the Queen's highest distinction this year.

Former WBA welterweight and IBF light-welterweight champion Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton (41-0) also received an MBE. He received the Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year award last year.

Former Football Association executive director David Davies and yachtsman Michael Golding each received an OBE.

Golding was 1,609km from land when he sailed 129km to rescue one of his rivals in the Five Oceans round-the-world race last month.

In descending order after knighthood, the honors are CBE, OBE and MBE.

Badges have recently been created so that the awards can be shown and recipients are allowed to put the letters after their names.
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