THREE-TIME major-winner Padraig Harrington has questioned the decision to appoint Davis Love as American Ryder Cup captain for a second time.

According to reports in the United States, Love will officially be confirmed as captain for the 2016 contest at Hazeltine next week, despite seeing his side squander a 10-4 lead at Medinah in 2012.

Paul Azinger, who led the US to their last win in 2008, and three-time Presidents Cup-winning captain Fred Couples had been favourites to be given the task of ending a run of three straight defeats in Minnesota.

"It's interesting, it looks like they (the PGA of America) have chosen a friend," Harrington, who was a vice-captain to Paul McGinley at Gleneagles last year, told Sky Sports.

"I'm surprised they didn't go back to Paul Azinger. I know Davis did a great job but it does look like they've gone for the guy they like. . . I'm not saying they don't like Paul Azinger but maybe Paul turned it down.

"He (Love) was a good captain but when you let the inmates run the asylum sometimes that's what they come up with."