Paul McGinley has further cemented his chance of being named 2014 European Ryder Cup captain thanks to Darren Clarke.

Clarke has reportedly agreed not to throw his hat into the ring for the captaincy at Gleneagles and instead will consider either the 2016 or 2018 European Team team role.

Paul McGinley firms further as favourite to be 2014 European Ryder Cup Captain. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)

McGinley has long been the certainty to lead Europe in two years time with the triple Ryder Cup winning Dubliner certain to also boost his chance if named later this year as of Jose Maria Olazabal’s vice-captain’s for September’s Ryder Cup at Medinah.

Olazabal is known to be extremely impressed with how McGinley handled the role of being twice GB & I Vivendi Seve Trophy winning captain.

But according to a report by the Irish Examiner’s esteemed Charlie Mulqueen Clarke has agreed not to put his name forward as a possible 2014 Ryder Cup captain to aid the McGinley’s hopes for the position.

And according to McGinley he is also concerned that with triple Major winning Padraig Harrington also coming in line for the captaincy the last thing the European Team needs is three straight Irish born captains.

“Clarkey is not going for 2014, he has given his support to me and that helps,” said McGinley.

“Everything helps. It’s pretty odds-on that Darren is going to be captain in 2016. But if I get it in 2014, where does that leave Padraig (Harrington)?

“That’s why you’ve got to deal with it one step at a time. There’s a lot of stuff that goes on. You’ve got three Irish guys lined up. And the chances of getting three in-a-row are nil.”

McGinley added: “By all accounts, Darren is going to be nailed on for 2016 after winning the Open Championship. He sent me a hand written letter after the Seve Trophy last year saying how much he enjoyed me being captain, how much I surprised him by how good I was and that beyond doubt, I would have his full support for 2014.”

If Clarke is ‘nailed’ for the 2016 captaincy the current Open Champion would be 48 years of age.

Also there is Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, who despite being three years younger than Clarke, is also a favourite for a European Team Captaincy role while there is suggestions also Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez could also be ‘nailed’ for a leading European team role.