Darren Clarke shocked at Tom Watson decision - Ryder Cup 2014
Darren Clarke says he is shocked at Tom Watson’s appointment to lead the Ryder Cup Team USA at the Gleneagles in 2014 in a bid to take the trophy back from defending champions – Team Europe.
The decision, he admitted, did send out a strong message that the Americans have at last come out to play and, in Scotland, intend to bring back the glory.
The 63-year-old Tom Watson is a regular player on the Professional Golf Association and Champions Tour circuits.
He is also known best for his intense on-field competitiveness with Jack Nicklaus, whom he replaced as the top golfer on a number of occasions.
Owing to the fact that the Professional Golf Association Championship remains, to this day, the only tournament he has not won, his inclusion to the ‘grand slam’ club remains elusive.
The only other players to have won all majors at least once are Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, Tiger Woods, and Gene Sarazen.
Recently, Clarke received the Professional Golf Association Recognition Award in London in recognition for the services he had provided to golf, the sport.
Clarke said in a press conference, after he received the award, "I think it could well affect who is appointed. A lot of people, myself included, were surprised when Tom Watson was appointed.
"It's a big statement and brilliant for the event - there are few more iconic figures in golf, he's adored in Scotland (the 2014 match is at Gleneagles) and it sends out a statement that they are very serious about winning the trophy back.
"Maybe we have to have a look and consider other people as well. Whoever it is standing on that stage opposite Tom Watson needs a huge presence. We seriously need the right man for the job".
Clarke mentioned that there is an unwritten rule, albeit more nicety than necessity, that either teams (USA or Europe) do not ask anybody to captain the teams twice.
However, just this once, in order to rise to Tom Watson’s challenge, they may as well have a ‘look’ at it.
He was speaking of Montgomerie’s possible reinstatement to lead the European team to victory in the Ryder Cup 2014. Montgomerie captained the team two years ago at Celtic Manor. Europe had hoisted the Cup after a very close, nervous week.
Clarke did say that he will consider the chance to lead the European team at the Ryder Cup in 2014 the profoundest of honours.
However, he also said that, at only 44, he thought he still had time enough to squeeze in as a playing member once or twice at the Ryder Cup.
The last time he had won was just over a month after his wife died because of breast cancer. His string of victories had come at the K club.
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