Westwood on ‘capable Clarke’

Lee Westwood is backing his friend and fellow European Darren Clarke to defend the Ryder Cup title next year.
However, the Englishman added that winning at Hazeltine would be a difficult task, as the Americans will be hell-bent on righting the wrongs of the past. Europe are on a roll, having won the last three events.
“I think the next Ryder Cup will be the hardest one to win because the Americans are really hurting after what happened at Gleneagles last year,” the seven time Ryder Cup winner told the Daily Mail.
“They didn’t come out of that one looking very good at all. So I think Darren has got a heck of a tough job on his hands. Having said that, he’s well capable of pulling it off.
“I can’t remember a time when I didn’t think he would be a captain. He just ticks all the boxes. He’s done the vice-captaincy under Colin Montgomerie, he’s been involved in five Ryder Cups, he’s still in touch with all the players and they all respect his game.”
In 2006, Clarke played on a winning European team at the K Club in Ireland just six weeks after the death of his wife, who passed away from breast cancer.
The Northern Irishman was determined to play and win in his wife’s honour, something that Westwood will always remember him for.
“That was as brave a performance as I have ever seen on a golf course,” added the 41-year-old.
“How he even got the club back on the first tee, let alone smack his drive right down the middle, I’ll never know.
“That showed his character but there were plenty of other times over the years when I thought he showed himself to be perfect captaincy material.”
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2008: Ryder Cup misery in Louisville for Nick Faldo’s Europe
Faldo was heavily criticised for his tactics in the closing singles.
-
Lucas Glover edges past Patrick Cantlay to claim back-to-back Tour wins
Glover, 43, ultimately claimed victory with a par on the 18th hole playoff after Cantlay found water off the tee.
-
Lilia Vu wins second major as Charley Hull comes up short despite stunning eagle
American Vu added the Women’s Open title to her Chevron Championship.
-
Lucas Glover holds onto lead in Memphis with Tommy Fleetwood two strokes behind
Glover said it was a scrappy day but he got ‘a lot out of’ what he had.
-
Charley Hull shares lead with Lilia Vu heading into final day of Women’s Open
The pair are nine under for the tournament.
-
On This Day in 2007 – Tiger Woods claims 13th major with victory in Oklahoma
The world number one successfully defended his US PGA Championship title.
-
Ally Ewing out to emulate Brian Harman with Open win
The pair share their southern roots, passion for hunting and college teams named the Bulldogs.
-
Ally Ewing storms clear during second round of AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath
At 10 under par Ewing enjoyed a five-shot lead over compatriot Andrea Lee and Japan’s Minami Katsu.
-
Jordan Spieth leads by one after first round of FedEx St Jude Championship
England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai are the best of the British contingent, closing out Thursday on four under par.
-
Rory McIlroy delighted with Tiger Woods’ role on PGA Tour’s policy board
Woods, 47, has not played since withdrawing from April’s Masters and concedes his playing opportunities will be extremely limited going forward.