Europe names Clarke as Ryder Cup captain

EUROPE’S Ryder Cup captain selection panel have named Darren Clarke as their next skipper following their meeting at Wentworth earlier this week. Clarke went into the selection process as favourite to land the honour of leading the European team. 

  Over the last few months he seems to have ticked all the right boxes in pursuit of gaining the approval of the selection panel. His credentials were strong despite a minor hiccup over his allegiance to Paul McGinley’s campaign leading up to last year’s event when he did a u-turn and supported Colin Montgomery’s campaign.

  Sources close to Clarke were understood to be quietly optimistic that he had enough support to get the nod, and that is how it turned out

  Northern Ireland’s Clarke and Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez were the two main contenders for the role with the European side at Hazeltine National Club in the United States from September 30 to October 2, 2016.

  Clarke, 46, has played in five Ryder Cups, while the 51-year-old Jimenez is a four-time cup veteran.

  “If it’s Miguel, I would be delighted for him – but I would love to do the job,” Clarke, twice a vice-captain, told BBC Northern Ireland prior to the decision.

  “To be the captain is huge, but he is only there to steer the players. It’s not about the captain, it’s about the team.”

 A five-man European Tour selection panel, including 2014-winning captain, Paul McGinley, made the decision on the captaincy.

 Europe retained the trophy at the 40th Ryder Cup with a 16.5-11.5 victory against the United States at Gleneagles in September.

It was the eighth time in the last 10 meetings that Europe have won the event.

 Overall, it was hard to see Clarke not getting the job. He’s well liked by many of the players, well liked in the United States and like many of his fellow tour players from Ireland, he loves to compete in match play events and that hunger and competitive nature should swing it his way.