Paul Lawrie has all but ruled out replacing Jose Maria Olazabal as European Ryder Cup captain for Gleneagles in 2014.
Lawrie is 16/1 with leading UK bookmaker William Hill to replace the Spaniard.
However the Scot, who was the oldest player competing last week in Chicago, has virtually poured cold water on suggestions of throwing his cap into the ring for 2014 European Team captaincy.
“I don’t I will be offered the captaincy but if they did, it’s a tough decision to make because not many people would knock it back,” said Lawrie.
“I would have to look at it and see that you’re presently 28th in the world, so I’m not sure that’s captain time.
“I am kind of thinking I want to play in that 2014 team. But if they do offer me, which I don’t think they will, then that’s a huge decision I would have to make at the time.”
Ireland’s Paul McGinley is the bookies favourite to take the place of Olazabal after having been a vice-captain for the past two Ryder Cups.
Indeed, the Dubliner has never tasted defeat in a Ryder Cup having played in three winning European Ryder Cup sides – 2002, 2004 & 2006 – along with being a vice-captain in the 2010 and now 2012 winning teams. McGinley also led GB & I to victory in the 2009 and 2011 Seve Trophy.
It is expected the European Tour will announce the 2014 earlier in the New Year.
