Darren Clarke is honoured Tiger Woods thinks so highly of the Northern Irishman would make an ideal 2016 European Ryder Cup Captain to replace fellow Irishman Paul McGinley.
It was www.golfbytourmiss.com who spoke exclusively and one-to-one with Woods at the end of his round on day four of the recent Hero World Challenge and with Woods actually stating he favoured both Clarke and main rival Miguel Angel Jimenez for Hazeltine captaincy.
However the 14-time Major winning Woods did remark it ‘would be a blast’ if Clarke were to get the captaincy vote.
Also throwing their weight behind Clarke getting the vote is many members of the victorious 2104 European Team including World No. 1 Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.
Darren Clarke honoured Tiger Woods should remark ‘it would be a blast’ if the Northern Irishman were to be appointed 2016 European Ryder Cup captain. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
Clarke was asked about taking over the reins from McGinley ahead of the inaugural Dubai Open being played this week at the Els Club in Dubai
“If my name has been put forward to do it, I would love to. That is up to the committee to decide. But if the best player in the world for a long time (Woods) says it would be a ‘blast’, that is high praise.
“I think it might cause a bit of hysteria if I asked him to be one of my vice-captains. “There are few guys in the reckoning. Whoever is the European captain going to Hazeltine, they have big footsteps to follow with what Paul McGinley achieved [by winning the 40th Ryder Cup in September].”
Clarke added: “If you are asked, it is a huge honour. If I am lucky enough to be asked, that would be great. “But, in the meantime, I will keep on playing and see what happens.”
The newly-appointed five-man committee to choose a successor to Clarke will meet early in the New Year.
However of more immediate interest to Clarke is the inaugural $1/2m Dubai Open and the curtain closing event on the 2014 Asian Tour.
Darren Clarke practicing ahead of inaugural 2014 Dubai Open. (Photo thanks to golfindubai.
The 46-year-old Clarke will be hoping to improve on his tied 50th-place finish at last weekend’s Thailand Golf Championship after ending up nine shots over.
Clarke said: “It is always great, first and foremost, to be back in Dubai. There are so many great golf courses here. “It will be a great event this week.
“I think he [Ernie Els] designed it when he was hitting the ball a bit further than he is now. The course is fabulous. “It will be a stern test. Whoever wins this week, their short game will have to be very good.”
