McGinley Undecided on Ryder Captain

Paul McGinley insists he is yet to decide who he will be recommending to be Europe's 2016 Ryder Cup captain and has declined to comment on the possible candidacy of Darren Clarke.

McGinley inspired Europe to a 16.5-11.5 victory over the United States in September and is now tasked with choosing a successor to lead the team in Minnesota next year.

The selection panel will include former captains Jose Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie, as well European Tour officials, but McGinley's opinion is likely to carry particular weight after his triumph at Gleneagles.

"I haven't fully made my mind up yet about who I'm going to recommend," McGinley told Press Association Sport.

"We're still communicating, there are a number of people involved in making that decision - current players, potential players going forward, and people who are associated with the Ryder Cup.

"I'm gathering information from everyone and I want to get a really solid view of what everybody thinks before I bring my ideas forward.

"We're working on it and in the next couple of months we'll have a new captain in place and the wheels will be turning towards another Ryder Cup."

Darren Clarke is the strong favourite to take the post having played in the Ryder Cup five times and helped lead the team as vice-captain in 2010.

McGinley's relationship with Clarke, however, remains strained after Clarke withdrew his support for McGinley's bid to lead the side in 2014 and suggested he may not have the presence to face America captain Tom Watson.

"Would Clarke be a good captain? The one thing I cannot do is express an opinion on that," McGinley said.

"I'll talk about it afterwards but at this moment it's only right I stay neutral and am fair to all the candidates.

"When I was trying to be captain, all I wanted was to be treated fairly by everybody so I think it's important I do the same now I'm involved in the decision making process."

"Would Clarke be a good captain? The one thing I cannot do is express an opinion on that" - Paul McGinley

McGinley drew on a wide variety of experience to help him lead at Gleneagles and he says he would be happy to offer his advice to future teams, but only if it was called upon.

"Of course I would be happy to help going forward," McGinley said.

"I'm European through and through and have been involved in six Ryder Cups and have a lot of experience.

"Whoever is Ryder Cup captain though, it's important he captains how he sees fit and doesn't try to copy me or anybody else before.

"It's important the captain is true to himself and captains the way he thinks is best to get a result for Europe.

"But if anybody wants to have a conversation with me, I certainly would be very happy to do so."

In contrast to McGinley, Watson's leadership style was one of many factors blamed for America's loss last year and a Ryder Cup Task Force has since been established to unearth a way of beating the Europeans.

McGinley, however, believes there is one explanation that may have been overlooked.

"For all the fall-out over there, there's never been a whole lot of recognition of what a formidable opponent Europe has become," McGinley said.

"The European Tour is producing great players and then there are the experienced players who make the team time after time.

"We have the world number one player saying he was more up for the Ryder Cup singles than he was for the last round of two majors last year.

"That just shows how important it's become for Europeans.

"Our players are dominating the top of the world rankings and we were playing at home. We were a very, very tough opponent."

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Darren Nearly Out of the Woods

Darren Clarke hopes to lead the European Ryder Cup team in 2016 at Hazeltine, and is delighted to receive the support from Tiger Woods recently.

Woods adds his name to Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, and Ian Poulter — all of whom hope to see Clarke succeed Paul McGinley.

“It’s true Darren and I go back a long way, all the way back to when both he and I were working with Butch [Harmon] and that’s back to around 2000, so I’ve known Darren a long time,” Woods, a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup task force formed to determine how to beat the Euros, told the Irish Examiner earlier this month. “If I make the 2016 U.S. Ryder Cup team, and that’s the goal, then I think it would be fun to be in a U.S. team with Darren as the rival European team captain because I’ve played with him and against him and we’ve always had a blast.”

Woods watched from his couch the Ryder Cup this year at Gleneagles and is now part of the PGA of America panel formed in the wake of that US defeat.

Clarke, a playing member on five consecutive European Ryder Cup teams as well as vice-captain in 2010 and 2012, appreciated Woods’ support. 

“Obviously, it’s something I would love to do,” Clarke said Wednesday ahead of the Asian Tour’s inaugural Dubai Open. “But it’s not something you petition for. My name was been put forward and I’m in the running for it. I would love to do it, but it’s up to the committee to decide.”

With the formalities out of the way, Clarke conceded that he welcomed the kind words from the 14-time major champion.

“With the best player in the world for a long time [saying] it would be a blast, that's high praise,” Clarke said. “Tiger’s a good friend and we’ve known each other [a long time]. “But there are a few other guys up for it. Whoever the committee decides will be captain … I’m sure will be a great captain.”

As for whom captain Clarke might add to his inner circle, it probably would not be Woods.

“I think it might cause a bit of a stir if I asked him to be one of the vice-captains,” Clarke quipped, “so I think I'd better not.”

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Harrington Receives PGA Award

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Padraig Harrington is the 2014 recipient of the PGA Recognition Award for his outstanding contribution to golf.

The Dubliner, who returned to the winner’s rostrum with his victory in the recent Indonesian Open, picked up the accolade at the PGA’s annual fundraiser at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

Harrington has scaled the heights of world golf with back to back Open Championship victories at Carnoustie in 2007 and Royal Birkdale a year later.

He also held off the challenge of Sergio Garcia to land the USPGA Championship at Oakland Hills in 2008 to become the first European to win back-to-back Major Championships.

It was deserved reward for his efforts on the practice ground where he would famously spend days on end with coach Bob Torrance fashioning a swing to accompany his deadly accurate short game.

The three-time Walker Cup player turned professional in 1995 and has chalked up 14 European Tour victories plus several more worldwide.

In addition he has enjoyed huge success in the Ryder Cup, making six appearances, helping Europe to four wins – the last in 2010.

Harrington was also a vice captain to fellow Irishman Paul McGinley at Gleneagles and is widely touted as a future captain.

Away from the fairways he has been equally dedicated, establishing the Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation, becoming an ambassador for both the R&A and Special Olympics and also supporting a number of charities including the Oesophageal Cancer Fund and the 3Ts.

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: “Padraig is a golfer who inspires tremendous affection on the world stage, not just for his brilliant golf but for his dedication and passion and also for the way he conducts himself and which has made him hugely popular in the game.

“The PGA Recognition Award is our way of acknowledging great achievements in the game and I’m delighted on behalf of the PGA’s membership to bestow this accolade on Padraig – he is a deserving winner and credit to the sport.”

Commenting on the award, Harrington said: “The PGA does outstanding work on behalf of its members and fulfills an important role in growing and promoting the game of golf for the benefit of all. 

“It’s a real honour to receive the PGA Recognition Award from such a respected organisation and I am delighted that my career achievements have been recognised with this special distinction.”

The PGA lunch is an important fundraiser for the PGA’s Benevolent Fund which helps members who have fallen on difficult and hard times.

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McIlroy Admits Club Troubles

Rory McIlroy has finally admitted it took him far longer than expected to adjust to his new clubs after his much-publicised equipment change in early 2013.

The world No 1 signed a lucrative endorsement deal with Nike at the end of a successful 2012 campaign in which he won his second major at the PGA Championship and topped the world rankings as well as money lists on both the European and PGA Tours.

But his form took an alarming dip throughout the following year, although he was reluctant to blame his change of club manufacturer as he insisted issues off the course were primarily to blame as he tumbled out of the world's top 10.

The 25-year-old almost went through 2013 without a victory, but gave himself a huge confidence boost after snatching the Australian Open title ahead of Adam Scott in December.

McIlroy's win at Royal Sydney gave him momentum going into this year, and he enjoyed the best season of his career as he collected two majors, his first WGC title and firmly established himself as the best golfer on the planet.

"The Australian win at the end of a very lean 2013 was a welcome bit of form," said McIlroy after being named Sportsman of the Year by Reuters. "It was the coming together of some hard work on many aspects of my game and becoming completely comfortable with the club changes I'd made.

"I then had the confidence to get the job done. I'd say it was worth the wait to get things properly in place. The major wins were really a continuation of that process.

"And, of course, hugely important, satisfying and evidence that I could win majors when I had to dig deep, rather than by comfortable margins. But don't get me wrong. I've nothing against a comfortable margin."

McIlroy also believes his improved maturity and mental strength contributed largely to his remarkable form over the last 12 months, and he is looking forward to keeping his world No 1 status for some time to come.

"With my swing, clubs and fitness in place, I feel confident enough to go out and win"

"Two years on tour is quite a long time, even as a 25-year-old," he added. "I also think my game and mental approach are in many ways linked. With my swing, clubs and fitness in place, I feel confident enough to go out and win.

"Perhaps a lot of the maturity is just an extended learning curve, with each experience, good or bad, another lesson in patience, course management and knowing when, or when not, to take a risk."

As well as his individual success during the year, McIlroy also produced one of the greatest Ryder Cup performances in history in the singles at Gleneagles as he romped to a 5&4 victory over close friend Rickie Fowler.

'Confidence'

McIlroy raced out of the blocks with four birdies and an eagle over the first six holes, and Fowler had no answer to the all-round quality of the world No 1.

"That was really down to a confidence thing," McIlroy said. "I'd been playing really well, my swing was in great shape and I felt I knew what I needed to do to get a win on the board - get off to a fast start.

"The early birdies that day came as a result of some excellent driving, which effectively took any trouble out of the equation on the opening holes and allowed me relatively easy approaches.

"I thought that if I was well under par by the turn I would be difficult to catch."

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Clarke Plays New Dubai Open

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Darren Clarke is teeing up at the inaugural Dubai Open with the intention of making a difference in the lives of women in the UAE.

The Ulsterman will be wearing a breast cancer awareness badge on his collar this week at the Els Club Dubai in hope of raising more awareness amongst the women in the UAE where 28% of female deaths have been due to breast cancer.

With his wife Heather succumbing to breast cancer in 2006, Clarke is keen to play a role while in Dubai for the final tournament of the 2014 Asian Tour season.

“Well, first and foremost, I’m here because of David Spencer and Mohamed Juma Bumaim (strategic adviser and vice chairman of golf in DUBAi respectively). They have been friends of mine and they kindly asked me to come along and play,” said Clarke today.

“Golf in DUBAi do such a wonderful job with all the tournaments they manage, the Ladies, the Dubai Desert Classic, this one and the MENA Tour. And for different reasons as well; our foundation is actively involved in breast cancer and I’m trying to promote that.

“Spenny gave me an interesting stat last night. He said 28% of female deaths in the UAE die of breast cancer, and that’s an amazing stat and that will be reduced by 50 per cent with early detection. I’ve got my breast cancer awareness badge, it’s over there (collar). It’s something close to my heart for obvious reasons and it’s because of efforts that Spenny and Mohamed do that make that difference. I’m here because I want to support them because they have supported me throughout my career.”

The 2011 British Open winner is eager to put on a strong showing at the immaculate Els Club Dubai against the stars from the Asian Tour despite a lack of success in recent times. The 46-year-old Ulsterman said he still had the desire to compete at the highest level, while also enjoying playing the mentor role to young golfers such as stablemate Tommy Fleetwood of England.

“In terms of what I want to do, I want to play. I love the game and I hate the game. Of late, I’ve hated the game a bit more than I love the game but that’s the game of golf. That’s professional sport. It’s not always pitching up in beautiful venues such as here and going out and having a good time on the golf course. It’s our job and sometimes we love it and sometimes we don’t,” he said.

“You play well and it’s brilliant; if you struggle a little bit, it’s not so much fun but you have to keep battling on for the good times. That’s why I’m still doing it because I love the game and I always will love the game.

“It’s great to have an opportunity where I can maybe offer the likes of Tommy a bit of advice, only because I’ve been through it all, seen every coach in the world, even every mental coach, I think I’ve destroyed 90 per cent of them!

“I’ve seen everybody there is to see at this stage of my career, and it’s nice to give back, especially somebody of Tommy’s talent coming through who is, as I say, going to be another superstar, so to be able to help him is great. So if he listens, he’ll be fine!” laughed Clarke.

Tipped as a potential European captain for the next Ryder Cup in the United States, Clarke said that getting the nod for the job would be another highlight of his career which has yielded over 20 international victories.

“If you’re asked, it’s a huge honour. If I am lucky enough to be asked, then that would be great. But in the meantime, you know, I’m just going to keep on playing and see what happens. As I’ve said all along, I’d love to do it but it’s not something you ask.”

The Dubai Open is promoted and organised by golf in DUBAi.

The Els Club Dubai is situated within the sprawling Dubai Sports City where the par-72 course combines links style golf with traditional ‘classical era’ design. Opened for play in 2008, the course stretches 7,538 yards and was named as ‘Best New International Course’ by prestigious US magazine, Links, and “Best New Facility of the Year” by Troon Golf.

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