McDowell: Clarke should be captain
Graeme McDowell has backed Darren Clarke to captain the European team at the next Ryder Cup at Hazeltine in the US in 2016.
McDowell helped Europe to a third consecutive Ryder Cup win, and a fifth in six attempts, in September, as William hill punters cashed in.
He said that he would choose Clarke ahead of fellow 2014 team member Thomas Bjorn and 2014 vice captain Miguel Angel Jiménez to lead the next team.
“I’m also backing Darren for the 2016 European Team captaincy and he’s an obvious pick,” he told Sky Sports.
“I have been speaking to Thomas (Bjorn) about 2016 but he believes he can still make the team as a player.
“There’s also Miguel who would have to be considered but I believe Darren’s got the credentials.
“Unlike past years Europe seems now to have this clear window for 2016 as far as Darren is concerned, but for 2018 and beyond you then will have players stacking up with the likes of Bjorn, Miguel, Harrington and Westwood in the mix for consideration.”
Clarke has been part of four winning Ryder Cup teams during his career and was a vice captain twice in 2010 and 2012.
McDowell isn’t the first player to publicly back McDowell for the captaincy. Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington, two players and a vice captain from this year’s team respectively, have also shown their support for the Northern Irishman.
Latest
-
PGA ChampionshipGraeme Storm recalls ‘surreal’ US PGA adventure after battle with Rory McIlroy
His famous victory over McIlroy came on the third extra hole in the 2017 South African Open in Johannesburg
-
PGA TourLee Kyoung-Hoon shoots his lowest round on the tour to retain Texas title
Dallas-born Jordan Spieth went close with a chip for eagle on the 18th which would have forced a play-off.
-
European TourSam Horsfield ‘so happy’ after winning Soudal Open to secure another title
Horsfield overcame overnight leader Ryan Fox in a thrilling final-round battle.
-
PGA ChampionshipJustin Rose still has drive to succeed as ‘exciting challenge’ of US PGA arrives
Rose won the US Open in 2013 and Olympic gold in Rio three years later, but has not tasted victory since February 2019.
-
PGA ChampionshipTiger Woods will expect to do better at US PGA Championship – Curtis Strange
Woods returned to top-level action after a long injury absence with a 47th-placed finished at the Masters.
-
PGA ChampionshipDefending champion Phil Mickelson withdraws from US PGA Championship
The six-time major winner has been taking a break from golf.
-
PGA TourEnglish rookie David Skinns shares lead in Texas
The 40-year-old from Lincoln shot a second-round 63 in the AT&T Byron Nelson.
-
PGA ChampionshipJordan Spieth looking for career grand slam at US PGA Championship
The presence or absence of defending champion Phil Mickelson which will dominate the conversation at Southern Hills.
-
PGA Championship5 contenders to win the US PGA Championship
Tiger Woods could contend for victory in Tulsa.
-
NewsWe’ve got your back – Greg Norman promises to defend players on breakaway tour
Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are among the professionals to have asked for the required release to play the first event at Centurion Club.