Seven-time Ryder Cup star Tiger Woods is divided in his loyalty believing either Darren Clarke or main rival Miguel Angel Jimenez would make an ideal 2016 European Ryder Cup Captain.
Woods views certainly play down Clarke’s seemingly red-hot favouritism as successor to the victorious Paul McGinley who led Europe to a stunning five-point success at Gleneagles.
Clarke seems a virtual ‘shoe-in’ for the role given a strong view within the European Tour that Jimenez’s poor grasp of the English language will rule of him out in the eyes of the five-man committee who will soon choose the captain to lead Europe into competition at Oakland Hills.
There’s already a heavyweight campaign backing for Clarke being led by fellow Irish Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell while the British trio of Lee Westwood, Justin Rose and Ian Poulter have also come out publically supporting Clarke.
But the 14-time Major winning Woods, who sat out this year’s Ryder Cup through injury, believes the choice is wide open.
Tiger Woods believes both Darren Clarke or Miguel Angel Jimenez would be an ideal 2016 European Ryder Cup Captain. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
“Either Darren of Miguel would be a great European captain as they both get along with the players so well including many of those competing for the US,” said Woods.
“They’re also both great guys and both a very good friends of mine, as well.
“It’s true that Darren and I go a long way back, and all the way back to when both he and I were working with Butch (Harmon) and that’s back to around 2000, so I’ve known Darren a very long time.
“Darren’s also very popular everywhere and not just in the States but then also is the ‘Mechanic’ (Jimenez) and he would make a great captain.
“So if I make the 2016 US Ryder Cup team, and that’s the goal, then I think it would be fun to be in a USA team with Darren as the rival European Team captain because I’ve played with him and against him, and we’ve played several matches together and we’ve always had a blast.”
Those sitting on the Committee to choose the 2016 European Team captain include the past three European Captains in Colin Montgomerie, Jose Maria Olazabal and Paul McGinley along with European Tour CEO George O’Grady and England golfer David Howell, who is a member of the Tour’s Players Tournament Committee.
