Europe should appoint a former skipper for the Ryder Cup team, says Darren Clarke
Recently, the PGA of America named Tom Watson as the US team captain for the 2014 Ryder Cup, when the Americans will try to overhaul their European counterparts.
In the meantime, the captain for the European team is still to be decided, as a 15-member committee has been formed to name Jose Maria Olazabal’s successor in January, 2013.
Darren Clarke, who himself is one of the favourites to become the next European Ryder Cup team captain, believes that the Europe should now consider naming a strong captain, in a bid to tackle Watson’s selection for the US team.
Watson is the latest US team captain to lead the team to victory on foreign soil in 1993 at The Belfry.
Since then, not a single US team triumphed in Europe. As the next edition will be staged in Gleneagles, Europe, the PGA of America decided to name a tested man, in a bid to bring back the trophy to the US soil.
That forced Clarke to think about having a former skipper leading the European team. According to him, the presence of a veteran captain in the US team can pressurize a fresh European team captain.
Therefore, it will be a good decision to appoint a captain, who holds a winning record in the history of the biennial event.
“A lot of people, myself included, were surprised when Tom was appointed. And I think it could well affect who is appointed for Europe,” said the 14-time European Tour winner. “It's a big statement and brilliant for the event as there are few more iconic
figures in golf”.
“He's adored in Scotland 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 stands on that stage opposite Tom Watson needs a huge presence,” added
the 2011 British Open champion.
The 2014 Ryder Cup will be staged at the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles, from September 26 to 28, 2014. Paul McGinley and Clarke are currently the hot favourites to become the next European Ryder Cup team captain.
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