Darren Clarke named as Ryder Cup captain

Darren Clarke has been named captain of the 2016 European Ryder Cup team.

The 46-year-old Northern Irishman, who played in five Ryder Cups and was a vice-captain in 2010 and 2012, was chosen ahead of Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas Bjorn by a five-man selection panel at Wentworth.

Clarke said: "I am naturally extremely proud to be selected as European Ryder Cup captain for 2016. 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."

Clarke was appointed to succeed 2014 skipper Paul McGinley after a five-man selection panel met at the tour's headquarters on the outskirts of London.

Clarke was one of three candidates for the role, along with Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, and the decision to give the job to the 2011 British Open champion came as no surprise.

He has a great record in the biennial team event, having tasted defeat just once in seven previous appearances as a player or vice-captain, and seemed to have the backing of most of the team that won the trophy in Scotland in September.

World number one Rory McIlroy said last month that Clarke would be a perfect fit in the US where he is a popular figure.

Clarke is likely to be going head-to-head with Davis Love III at Hazeltine, Minnesota next year after the Golf Channel reported on Monday that the 1997 US PGA Championship winner would be named American skipper next week.

It would be the second time Love, 50, has led the team after he oversaw the 'Miracle of Medinah' defeat in 2012 when Olazabal's side stormed back to win from 10-6 down.

Colm Montgomerie, who was a member of the selection panel, said the decision to appoint Clarke had been unanimous, adding on Sky Sports News: "We had three very able candidate 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."

Clarke made his Ryder Cup debut at Valderrama in 1997 and admitted he was not happy with captain Seve Ballesteros after being left out of the opening day's play and figuring just once before the singles, where he lost to Mickelson.

He then won two points at Brookline in 1999 and The Belfry in 2002, before claiming three-and-a-half points in the record nine-point win at Oakland Hills in 2004.

O'Grady, speaking on behalf of the panel, said: "We are delighted to announce that Darren has accepted the invitation from the panel to captain Europe at The 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National.

"Darren has an impressive Ryder Cup pedigree, having featured five times as a player and twice as a vice-captain, so he has a strong understanding of the attributes required to be a successful captain.

"He is also a popular figure among the players and has both the passion and knowledge to lead Europe in the quest for a record fourth consecutive Ryder Cup victory."

Clarke 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 on Sky Sports News.

"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.

"If (it is Davis Love) 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."

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Darren Clarke named as Ryder Cup captain

Dengan url

http://olahragaenjoy.blogspot.com/2015/02/darren-clarke-named-as-ryder-cup-captain.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Darren Clarke named as Ryder Cup captain

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Darren Clarke named as Ryder Cup captain

sebagai sumbernya

Olahraga Enjoy