Darren Clarke confirmed he is considering withdrawing from next Tuesday’s Players Committee vote in Abu Dhabi to select the 2014 European Ryder Cup captain.
The former British Open champion and Ireland’s Paul McGinley are the two nominations to replace Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal.
Also interested in being appointed Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, the victorious 2010 European Team captain.
Darren Clarke confirms he may now not seek the 2014 Ryder Cup captaincy. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
However after a good end to his 2012 season, including a best result in some 18 months by finishing eighth in the Australian PGA Championship, Clarke is conscious of the near two-year impact on his game and his life should he accept the Gleneagles captaincy.
“It is something I have given a great deal of thought to because whenever I was initially mentioned I wasn’t playing very well,” said Clarke after his second round in the Volvo Champions event in Durban.
“I played much better at the end of last year and have been thinking long and hard about it all over the Christmas break.
“As much as I would dearly love to be captain this may not be my time.
“I won one of the biggest prizes in golf by winning The Open and I am exempt for another three years (in the States) and if I was given the opportunity to do the captaincy I’d effectively be throwing two of those years away.
“So I’m still wrestling with it.
“I know I’m going to be asked at the start of the meeting if I am part of this equation?
“So it’s a tough one for me, but to be honest with you as I want to continue playing golf.”
Whether or not Clarke also has worked out numbers may be against him next Tuesday it will mean Paul McGinley has now firmed as near certain favourite to be the next European Ryder Cup captain.
Clarke and McGinley are the only nominees but with Colin Montgomerie eager to again be appointed should he be asked.
And all three are members of the Tournament Players Committee that will meet next Tuesday night in Abu Dhabi to choose a successor to Jose Maria Olazabal.
