Darren Clarke and Miguel Angel Jimenez will be 6,000 miles apart when the European Tour is expected later this week to announce the 2016 European Ryder Cup Captain.
The Tour confirmed the five-man selection panel, comprising the past three European Team captains, Tour CEO George O’Grady and Players Committee representative David Howell, will meet at Wentworth on February 18th.
Clarke will be in Fancourt, South Africa preparing for the Sunshine Tour’s Dimension Data Pro-Am while the pony tailed Jimenez will be competing in a Pro-Am ahead of the co-sanctioned Hero India Open in New Delhi.
Clarke would seem favourite to replace fellow Irishman Paul McGinley but then Jimenez, who said recently in Abu Dhabi he wanted the lead Europe at Hazeltine ‘with a passion’, could be a surprise.
Darren Clarke and Miguel Angel Jimenez will be on two different continents when the 2016 European Ryder Cup Captain is announced on 18th February. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
You would expect Spanish compatriot Jose Maria Olazabal, as 2012 victorious captain, to cast his vote in favour of Jimenez while McGinley could also put his hand up backing Jimenez should the Dubliner still harbour memories of Clarke’s push against him ahead of the 2014 captaincy vote.
If so, it would mean Jimenez needs only one other vote to lead Europe in 18 months.
But then all the smart money is on the 46-year old Clarke, a veteran of five Ryder Cup including being on the victorious 1997, 2002, 2004 and 2006 teams while he’s been a vice-captain in the past three Ryder Cups.
“If it’s Miguel, I would be delighted for him, but I would love to do the job,” said Clarke.
“To be the captain is huge, but he is only there to steer the players. It’s not about the captain, it’s about the team.
“But I’ve got very, very special memories of the event and I’m fortunate to have played in many winning teams. Those memories I will cherish for ever.”
However if Jimenez misses out he could still qualify for the Team automatically given his early 2015 form.
Jimenez earlier this year won for a second time on the Champions Tour in the States while he’s just one shot off the lead with a round to play in the Thailand Classic.
The 51-year old cigar-smoking Malaga-born pro, who posted a third round 69, is looking to break three prior records he enjoys to extend his tag of being the European Tour’s oldest winner.
Australia’s big-hitting Scott Hend (66) heads the field at 15-under par and with Jimenez sharing second with prolific Thai-born champion, Thongchai Jaidee (67).
