Darren Clarke continues to firm as 2016 European Ryder Cup captain with Graeme McDowell now publically lending support to his fellow Northern Irishman.
McDowell’s backing of Clarke comes hot on the heels of Padraig Harrington declaring ‘Darren deserves it given he’s done so much for European golf’.
There’s no denying Clarke’s credentials having been on four of five victorious Ryder Cup teams between 1997 and 2006 while he was vice-captain in 2010 and 2012.
And if ‘Player Power’ helped deliver Paul McGinley the 2014 captaincy then a similar players push would surely deliver Clarke the reins of the European Team at Hazeltine.
Graeme McDowell backing Darren Clarke to take over the 2016 Ryder Cup captaincy. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“I’m also backing Darren for the 2016 European Team captaincy and he’s an obvious pick,” said McDowell.
“I have been speaking to Thomas (Bjorn) about 2016 but he’s of the opinion he can still make the team, and besides it seems maybe Thomas sees himself a candidate for 2018 in France.
“There’s also Miguel (Angel Jimenez) 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.
“And as for 2018 Padraig’s credentials would suggest he’s the guy to replace Darren, and if so that would three Irish-born captains in a row and that would be unbelievable.
“Then you’ve got the likes of Poults, Luke Donald, Sergio, Rosie and my good self in the mix in the mid to late 2020’s.”
The 2016 Ryder Cup captain will be decided at a ‘new look’ voting panel consisting of the past three captains in Colin Montgomerie, Jose Maria Olazabal and McGinley, along with Tour CEO George O’Grady and Players Committee representative David Howell to be held next January during the course of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
McDowell was commenting after posting a 69 to move to eight under par and tied with Shane Lowry, who added a 66, after two rounds of the BMW Masters in Shanghai.
It left the reigning double French Open champion trailing six shots behind big-hitting Nicolas Colsaerts who added a 64, under a continuing ‘preferred lie’ rule, to move one clear at 14-under par.
And after setting a new Tour ‘Longest Drive’ record during the recent Wales Open the ‘Belgium-born Bomber’ is looking to draw on his ‘intimidation factor’ to capture a third Tour title.
“I’ve never seen it as intimidation but it could be because there are guys that look like they hit if far more aggressively than I do and I hit it past them,” he said.
“So yes, I guess off the tee I can be intimidating when I get into a zone like I am in.”
