Graeme McDowell says he's "really excited" about being a European vice-captain at the upcoming Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

Henrik Stenson was this morning confirmed as Padraig Harrington's fifth and final vice skipper for the team competition against the USA.

Former US Open winner McDowell is playing the Dutch Open this week ahead of flying out to America and he says the buzz has been building since the playing team was announced on Sunday evening.

“I had my watch on yesterday when I was playing my practice rounds and it kept blowing up, buzzing, text messages coming in," the Antrim native said.

Now that we have the 12 players set it’s exciting to start working on the chemistry, working on the pairings, and our strategies for what we want to do Friday, Saturday, into the weekend, so it’s exciting.

“You know I wish I was playing, but the next best thing is to be part of that captaincy backroom staff and I’m excited to jump on the plane Monday morning with the guys.

"You get that European logo on your chest, it’s just a special thing and something I have great memories off, so I am really excited for Whistling Straits. It would be nice to play well here this weekend and then take my competitive golfer hat off and put my vice captains hat on, to go do the best job I can for Team Europe.”