Crail, Scotland …
Rory McIlroy defended fellow Darren Clarke’s European leadership declaring even in defeat the team was jubilant for the work Clarke put into the side.
Clarke’s 21-month reign as European Captain ended without any champagne shower as a USA side stormed to a 17 – 11 point success at Hazeltine.
And while Clarke, was sure to be bitterly disappointed at not being able to deliver Europe four wins in succession, his outward demeanour did not show this.
Europe managed to get within a point of Davis Love 111s side early on in the Sunday Singles but as the day dragged on it was a sea of Stars and Stripes victories in the later stage of the afternoon.
The European Team in a happy mode despite their six point defeat at Hazeltine. (Photo – Justin Rose)
Ryan Moore, and the very last player into the USA team, had the honour of holing the putt to deliver the Americans their desperately needed success.
And McIlroy, like all his Euro team-mates, was full of praise for Clarke’s leadership.
“Darren could have done anything else,” said McIlroy.
“He has been a fantastic captain. Personally, for me to play under him, I wanted to win so badly for him and even more so the way given if you could have seen him in the team room all week and the things he was saying.
“How great of an atmosphere he created. It was fantastic.
“That’s why even in defeat, we were still quite jubilant, we’ve had a great week and regardless of the result of course but that’s disappointing.
“At the same time we will go and have a few beers and really enjoy each other’s company like we have done all week and then go back to try and beat the hell out of each other next week.”
McIlroy spoke highly also of Thomas Pieters, who created European Ryder Cup history managing four points from five matches on his debut, and with three of those four coming from his partnership with McIlroy.
“I’m excited as we weren’t even meant to be paired given Thomas was a last minute pick by Darren,” said McIlroy.
“Thomas went out there and showed everyone how good he is. He showed me how good he is.
“I hadn’t played him in a match before and we go out and it wasn’t really a planned pairing but we went out there and played unbelievable in the Fourball and then Darren puts us back out there in the foursomes and I’m like, ‘fine, let’s go with this’ and he’s the best partner you could have.
“He didn’t act like a rookie out there, it just seemed so natural to him. He’s such a laid back guy, sort of like Nicolas Colsaerts four years ago but younger and, no offence to Nicolas Colsaerts, with a lot more talent.”
Hazeltine vice-captain also defended any criticism directed at Clarke saying: “Darren has tried his bollocks off.
“Lee is going to come under fire and Darren is going to be criticised for picking Lee but that’s unfair. You cannot expect to play seven or eight rookies – it’s just not possible.
“Unfortunately Lee missed some putts this week and he might not have had his best golf. Because of that it’s going to be tough for Darren.”
And with the dust still settling on the 41st Ryder Cup there’s already talk as to who will replace Clarke for Versailles in 2018.
Most believe Thomas Bjorn, as long-time Chairman of the Tournament Players Committee and also a multiple Ryder Cup vice-captain will be selected.
It would then leave Lee Westwood to be captain at Whistling Straits in 2020 and Padraig Harrington for Rome in 2022.
“It will all depend on who feels they are ready for it as you have got someone like a Lee Westwood, you’ve got Thomas Bjorn, you’ve got Padraig obviously,” said McIlroy.
“Padraig may want to try for Paris but that would be three Irish captains in a row, I don’t know how that would feel.
“But anyone of those guys could do the job, The culture of the European Tour in including everyone in the team it really doesn’t have….because there is so much support around us we obviously need a captain, need a leader, it could be any one of a number of guys.”
A committee comprising European Tour CEO Keith Pelley along with now former captains Paul McGinley and Clarke will make that decision early next year.
