Clarke confident after Augusta
Europe's Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke has admitted that he took great pleasure in watching a number of European players play some sparkling golf at Augusta National last week.
Not only did England's Danny Willett win the first major championship of the year, but he was one of seven Europeans in the top 15 at Augusta.
Clarke launched the Ryder Cup trophy tour from Royal Portrush Golf Club in his native Northern Ireland on Tuesday and he made no attempt to mask the satisfaction he took from the weekend's golf.
"It was a wonderful week from a European perspective," Clarke said.
"With the winner Danny Willett and indeed Lee Westwood playing a lot better and Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick, there were so many Europeans up there in the top 10.
"It was a very positive week for the Europeans."
Clarke is known to share a close friendship with Westwood and the latter's strong showing in Georgia came as a huge relief to the Irishman.
"To see him playing in the manner and fashion that I know he can is certainly very, very heartening," Clarke said of Westwood.
After finishing tied second at the Masters, Westwood has jumped up to 12th on the European Points List and 10th on the World Points List. He is now close to gaining automatic qualification to Europe's Ryder Cup Team.
As for his plans to motivate his group of players at Hazeltine National Golf Course later this year, Westwood said he would be making use of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
"Despite being a Liverpool fan I have asked Sir Alex to come along," Clarke smiled.
"I was privileged to sit and talk to him for 45 minutes at the Masters last week and I'm going over to Manchester at a later date to talk to him more."
Latest
-
NewsRory McIlroy not impressed as Brooks Koepka becomes latest big name to join LIV
The world number two labelled the players who have joined the new series as “duplicitous” for the way they have handled their breakaway.
-
The OpenR&A confirms LIV Golf Series players will be allowed to compete at Open
The 150th Open Championship will get underway at St Andrews in three weeks’ time.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick turns to other major winners for advice on dealing with fame
Fitzpatrick won the US Open on Sunday.
-
NewsBrooks Koepka set to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series
Koepka’s brother Chase played in the opening event at Centurion Club earlier this month.
-
US OpenGary Player urges Matt Fitzpatrick to avoid ‘poison’ of modern-day coaching
Player tells US Open champion Fitzpatrick to learn from mistakes of recent major winners, saying: “The teaching today is the worst it has ever been.”
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick’s caddie Billy Foster ready for ‘long party’ after US Open win
Foster won his first major after a 40-year career which includes spells working for the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick backed to become a dominant force after winning first major
The Englishman claimed his first major title at Brookline.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick: A Blade with plenty of support who can really cut it
The Sheffield golfer landed his first major – and first professional win in America – at Brookline on Sunday.
-
US OpenMixed emotions for Rory McIlroy after US Open disappointment
McIlroy finished joint fifth at Brookline.
-
US OpenGolfing world and beyond react to Matt Fitzpatrick’s US Open victory
The 27-year-old held off Will Zalatoris and world number one Scottie Scheffler to win by one stroke at Brookline.