Montgomerie: Clarke is the man

Colin Montgomerie is backing Darren Clarke to defend the Ryder Cup title when he leads team Europe at Hazeltine in 2016.
Montgomerie was part of the five-man selection panel that chose Clarke as captain for the next edition of the iconic event, which will be hosted at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota, United States.
The Scot revealed that it was a unanimous decision to select the Northern Irishman, who debuted at the Ryder Cup as a player alongside Montgomerie in 1997 at Valderamma.
“I think he (Clarke) will be a very good communicator, which is most important as captain,” the 52-year-old told Sky Sports.
“He had the respect of the players as a former Open Champion and his Ryder Cup record is very good. We had three very able candidates and a unanimous decision, which was a delight for the panel.
“We have an abundance of good potential captains now and for the future, but on this occasion Clarke was the right man for the job.
“We’ve selected a captain that I’m convinced will retain the Ryder Cup and bring it home. To regain it is one thing but to take it over there and bring it back with us sounds wonderful!”
Montgomerie added that it will not be an easy task as Clarke is sure to face a fired up American team on home soil as they try to stem the European dominance of the event. The Europeans have won the last three events.
“It’s a unenviable task that faces him,” continued the veteran European Tour player.
“America want it back badly but he’ll 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.”
Latest
-
European Tour
Ian Poulter among three LIV Golf Series players to get Scottish Open reprieve
Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding have had their suspensions temporarily stayed.
-
News
Graeme McDowell shocked by people wishing him dead since switching to LIV Golf
The 2010 US Open champion acknowledged his switch to LIV was “about the money”.
-
PGA Tour
JT Poston completes wire-to-wire victory at John Deere Classic
England’s Callum Tarren bogeyed two of his last four holes en route to a one-under 70 as he was forced to settle for equal-sixth place.
-
European Tour
Adrian Meronk makes history for Poland as David Law celebrates Open berth
Meronk’s flying finish made him his country’s first winner on the DP World Tour.
-
News
Paul Casey becomes latest player to join LIV Golf series
He opted out of the inaugural Saudi International on the European Tour in 2019 citing concerns over the country’s human rights record.
-
European Tour
Adrian Meronk has the edge as he aims to make Tour history for Poland
A third round of 68 at Mount Juliet means a one-shot advantage on a crowded leaderboard.
-
European Tour
Shane Lowry birdies last four holes to make Irish Open cut
Jorge Campillo tops the leaderboard at the midway point.
-
European Tour
Keith Pelley hits back at 16 players threatening DP World Tour with legal action
Pelley says the sanctions against players who competed in the first LIV Golf event are ‘proportionate’ and ‘fair’.
-
PGA Tour
JT Poston takes two-shot lead at John Deere Classic
The 29-year-old also became the first player on record to open consecutive Tour events with 62 or better.
-
European Tour
Ryan Fox surprised to be leading after opening round of Horizon Irish Open
The New Zealander carded a flawless 64 to set the pace at Mount Juliet.