Darren Clarke has been confirmed as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain for next year’s meeting with the United States at Hazeltine.
Clarke, who was the overwhelming favourite to take on the post, was voted for by a five-man selection panel which met at Wentworth from 10am on Wednesday. The 46-year-old, who won the Open Championship in 2011, will prove a popular choice with Europe’s players; many of whom had publicly backed his candidature. Although anxious not to be seen as campaigning, Clarke had set his sights on leading Europe for some time.
Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Thomas Bjorn were the only two threats to Clarke being voted in by a committee which consisted of Paul McGinley, David Howell, George O’Grady, Colin Montgomerie and José María Olazábal. Of that duo, Jiménez held the greater appeal but, barring a push for a captain from continental Europe, Clarke always stood out as the most viable choice.
The Spaniard may yet be handed the captaincy for the 2018 playing of the Ryder Cup in France, where a deviation away from a British or Irish golfer would seem logical.
Clarke represented Europe in five successive Ryder Cups from 1997. The most notable of them arrived in 2006, when the Northern Irishman appeared just six weeks after the death of his wife, Heather, as one of Ian Woosnam’s wildcards. Clarke was embraced by the entire European team at the end of an emotionally-charged occasion.
Congratulations to @DarrenClarke60 being appointed as 2016 @RyderCupEurope Captain. That's great news and will be a first class captain.
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) February 18, 2015
Clarke, who is expected to be formally unveiled by the European Tour at a ceremony next month, said: “I am naturally extremely proud … The Ryder Cup has been a massive part of my life and my career, so to have the chance to lead Europe next year is a huge honour.
“I am lucky to have played and worked under some fantastic captains in my seven Ryder Cups to date and I look forward to the challenge of trying to follow in their footsteps and help Europe to a fourth consecutive Ryder Cup victory at Hazeltine next year.”
He admitted he would have “big shoes to fill” after recent European successes and would not be straying far from the winning blueprint.
“It would be very foolish for me not to follow the same formula,” Clarke said. “With everything that came out of Gleneagles and the unbelievable job that Paul [McGinley] did there, I would be foolish not to speak to Paul and all the other captains before that. The team bonding and spirit they had at Gleneagles is obviously something I would love to replicate.”
Clarke said he has a “few people in mind” for his vice-captains and indicated he was likely to copy McGinley and have five of them at Hazeltine, where he is set to come up against a good friend as his opposite number.
Congrats Captain @DarrenClarke60! I'm sure you'll be an amazing asset to #TeamEurope. Go Europe
— Sergio Garcia (@TheSergioGarcia) February 18, 2015
“If [it is Davis Love III] that would be wonderful,” he added. “We’ve played many practice rounds together and are very good friends. He is a gentleman and there isn’t a nicer man in our sport.”
Montgomerie said the decision to appoint Clarke had been unanimous, telling Sky: “We had three very able candidates and a unanimous decision, which was a delight for the panel. We spoke to Darren and we wish him well to retain the trophy. It’s an unenviable task; America want it back badly and he will have all our support. They do want revenge, they set up their task force and had their own internal wranglings about what they can do to win it back.
“We have selected a captain that I am convinced will retain the Ryder Cup and bring it home. I think he will be a very good communicator with the players individually, which is most important as a captain. He has the respect of the players.”
