Darren Clarke is Europe’s new Ryder Cup captain.
The 46-year-old has been tasked with maintaining the continent’s dominance in golf’s biennial battle with the United States, Europe having won six of the last seven installments.
Clarke played in five successive Ryder Cups between 1997 and 2006, losing only once, and has been part of winning teams as a vice captain in 2010 and 2012.
The Northern Irishman was chosen ahead of Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez, who has featured in four Ryder Cups as a player, winning two. He has been vice captain three times, winning all of them.
Clarke enjoyed the support of many high profile European players, with world No. 1 Rory McIlroy part of a group that included Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Grame McDowell.
The 2012 British Open champion was selected by a five-man panel that included former captains Paul McGinley, Jose Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie.
More to follow…..