Clarke Confirmed as Europe Captain

Darren Clarke has been named European captain for The 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National in Chaska, Minnesota, from September 30 - October 2, 2016.

The 2011 Open Champion becomes the first Northern Irishman to lead Europe against the United States, having played in the biennial contest five times, featuring on the winning side on four occasions. He was also a vice captain under Colin Montgomerie and José María Olazábal in the European wins in 2010 and 2012 respectively, and succeeds Irishman Paul McGinley, who captained Europe to a 16 ½-11 ½ triumph at Gleneagles last September. 

Clarke takes the reins for the 41st Ryder Cup with the aim of leading Europe to a record fourth consecutive victory in the biennial contest. 

The 46 year old was chosen by a five man selection panel consisting of those three most recent European Ryder Cup Captains - McGinley, Olazábal and Montgomerie – as well as the Chief Executive of The European Tour, George O’Grady, and European Tour Tournament Committee member David Howell, which met at Wentworth Club today (Wednesday February 18). 

Clarke said: “I am naturally extremely proud to be selected as European Ryder Cup captain for 2016. The Ryder Cup has been a massive part of my life and my career, so to have the chance to lead Europe next year is a huge honour. 

“I am lucky to have played and worked under some fantastic captains in my seven Ryder Cups to date, and I look forward to the challenge of trying to follow in their footsteps and help Europe to a fourth consecutive Ryder Cup victory at Hazeltine next year.”

The 14-time European Tour winner made his Ryder Cup debut in 1997 at Valderrama in Spain under Seve Ballesteros, partnering Montgomerie to defeat Fred Couples and Davis Love III in the fourballs before losing narrowly to Phil Mickelson in the singles. 

He then contributed two points at each of the next two Ryder Cups, at Brookline in 1999 and The Belfry in 2002, and three-and-a-half points in Europe’s record 18½-9½ victory at Oakland Hills Country Club in 2004. 

But his most memorable, and emotional, Ryder Cup performance came two years later when he inspired Europe to victory by the same record equalling margin in front of passionate Irish galleries at The K Club, just six weeks after his first wife Heather passed away. 

Clarke won all three of his matches in Co. Kildare, joining forces with Lee Westwood to defeat Mickelson and Chris DiMarco then Tiger Woods and Jim Fuyrk in the fourballs, before beating Zach Johnson 3 and 2 in the singles. His two victories alongside Westwood mean the duo are joint second in the all-time list of most successful Ryder Cup partnerships, with six points from their eight matches together, while overall Clarke has contributed a total of 11½ points in the blue of Europe. 

He returned to The Ryder Cup fold four years later as a vice captain under Montgomerie at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, as Europe beat the United States by 14½-13½, and he gained further experience as part of the backroom team under Olazábal at Medinah in 2012. 

That came a year after the finest individual achievement of his distinguished career, when he held off Mickelson and Dustin Johnson to win The 140th Open Championship at Royal St George’s, adding the Claret Jug to the two World Golf Championship titles he won in the early 2000s, when he became just the second player after Tiger Woods to win more than one WGC crown. 

George O’Grady, speaking on behalf of the Ryder Cup Europe selection panel, said: “We are delighted to announce that Darren has accepted the invitation from the panel to captain Europe at The 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National. 

“Darren has an impressive Ryder Cup pedigree having featured five times as a player and twice as a vice captain, so he has a strong understanding of the attributes required to be a successful captain. He is also a popular figure among the players and has both the passion and knowledge to lead Europe in the quest for a record fourth consecutive Ryder Cup victory.”

Clarke is the first captain to be chosen using Ryder Cup Europe’s new selection process – the third method used to pick The Ryder Cup captain since players from Continental Europe joined the fold for the 1979 contest, under the captaincy of John Jacobs, at The Greenbrier in West Virginia.

From then until 1997, when the late Seve Ballesteros led Europe in his homeland at Valderrama, the European Ryder Cup captain was identified by the Ryder Cup Committee, who selected Jacobs again in 1981, Tony Jacklin in 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1989, and Bernard Gallacher in 1991, 1993 and 1995.

However, in 1999, Mark James was the first European captain to be nominated by the European Tour’s Tournament Committee and ratified by the Ryder Cup Board, a process which went on to select Sam Torrance (2002), Bernhard Langer (2004), Ian Woosnam (2006), Sir Nick Faldo (2008), Montgomerie (2010), Olazábal (2012) and McGinley (2014).

Related articles

• Davis Love III - 2016 US Ryder Cup Captain
• Golf-Love III to be appointed U.S. Ryder Cup captain - report
• Clarke vying for captain's role
• McIlroy backs countryman Clarke for Ryder Cup captaincy
• McIlroy backs countryman Clarke for Ryder Cup captaincy
• EXCLUSIVE Interview Angel Miguel Jimenez: Cigars and Wine for the Battle

Clarke Awaits Ryder Cup Call

Darren Clarke remains a strong favourite to be named European Ryder Cup captain for 2016 on Wednesday.

Clarke, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas Bjorn are the contenders to succeed Paul McGinley at Hazeltine in September next year, when Europe will be looking to maintain their recent dominance with a seventh win in the last eight contests.

McGinley is part of the five-man selection panel who will each have a vote when they meet at European Tour headquarters in Wentworth, with predecessors Jose Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie joined by European Tour chief executive George O’Grady and players representative David Howell.

Sources close to Clarke are understood to be quietly optimistic that the Northern Irishman has enough support to get the nod, although the 46-year-old is understandably said to be not taking anything for granted.

Clarke was forced to deny a newspaper report in October 2012 that he had been offered the captaincy for 2014, a role which eventually went to McGinley as the relationship between the former friends became significantly strained.

Clarke had sent McGinley a letter in 2011 supporting the latter’s bid to become captain in 2014, but later changed his mind and also put himself forward for the role.

And when Tom Watson was named US captain in December 2012, Clarke suggested 2010 captain Montgomerie should also be considered as ”whoever it is standing on that stage opposite Tom Watson needs a huge presence”.

With the public backing of players such as Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter, McGinley subsequently won the day, but admitted last year that his conversations with Clarke were now ”short and sweet” and amounted to little more than passing pleasantries.

Graeme McDowell has urged Clarke and McGinley to put their differences aside for the sake of the European cause and immediately after his highly-praised role in the five-point win at Gleneagles, McGinley insisted his relationship with Clarke would not cause any issues in the selection process.

“’Absolutely no problem whatsoever,” McGinley said. “I’m going to be very professional in my input. I’m going to get opinions from a lot of players and a lot of people before I put my opinion forward as to what it will be. Just like I was very much pushed over the line by the players, I want to get the opinion of the players.

”I think we’re very fortunate in Europe, a little bit like the Liverpool soccer team and the boot room, I think a lot of us have benefited hugely from being vice-captains. Darren has been a vice-captain along with many other guys. We will see where that all evolves and I’ll make a professional decision based on the views of people that I respect.”

As with McGinley before him, Clarke has had the support of high-profile players such as McIlroy, McDowell and Lee Westwood and noticeably maintained a high media profile at Gleneagles.

The 2011 Open champion is competing in the Dimension Data pro-am in South Africa this week – along with eldest son Tyrone – but has struggled with his game in recent seasons.

In contrast, Jimenez is still competing on the European Tour at the age of 51 while winning titles on the Seniors Tour, while Bjorn qualified to play at Gleneagles and finished on the winning team for a third time in three appearances.

Whoever is chosen on Wednesday can expect their opposite number to be 2012 captain Davis Love, who will be given a chance at redemption after being on the wrong end of the ’Miracle at Medinah’ according to reports in the United States.

Love, whose side led 10-6 going into the singles in Chicago only to lose by a single point, was part of the 11-man task force created to examine all aspects of the United States Ryder Cup process after the defeat at Gleneagles, but was thought to be behind 2008 captain Paul Azinger and Fred Couples in the pecking order.

Related articles

• Westwood keen to stake his claim
• McIlroy backs countryman Clarke for Ryder Cup captaincy
• Ryder Cup duo Westwood and McDowell shine in Malaysia
• Ryder Cup Duo Westwood and McDowell Shine in Malaysia
• Rory McIlroy lives up to billing with peerless performance
• Rory McIlroy has to pay his old management company $25 million (IrishCentral)

Els and Garcia Confirm Irish Open

Irish Open hosted by The Rory Foundation, will srr two more legends of the game – four-time Major-winner Ernie Els and Ryder Cup talisman, Sergio Garcia – become the latest superstars to add their names to what is fast becoming one of the strongest fields in the tournament’s recent history.

This year’s event at Royal County Down will mark Garcia’s first appearance in 15 years at the tournament which launched his professional career as a precocious teenager in 1999, when he captured his first European Tour title at Druids Glen.

Meanwhile Els, who has accumulated 28 Tour titles during the course of a glittering career spanning more than a quarter of a century, will visit the Irish Open for the first time since 1998.

Their long-awaited return will only add to the growing hype surrounding this year’s event at Royal County Down in Northern Ireland, with American Rickie Fowler and former World Number One Lee Westwood having already announced their attendance alongside tournament host and World Number One Rory McIlroy, his compatriots Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell and defending champion Mikko Ilonen.

McIlroy, whose charitable foundation The Rory Foundation will be the official tournament host this year, has been instrumental in attracting some of the biggest names in world golf to the County Down venue, regarded as one of the greatest links courses in the world.

Garcia, 35, is eagerly anticipating his first appearance on Northern Irish soil as a professional having enjoyed great success in the Republic, where he won the Irish Open as a teenager before playing a prominent role in The Ryder Cup at the K Club in County Kildare seven years later.

“I cannot wait to return to a tournament which has such great memories for me,” said the Spaniard, who won four points as part of the victorious European team at The K Club.

“You could say this event is where it all began for me. I was just 19 when I won in Druids Glen in 1999, only two months after I turned professional.

“Not only am I returning to a very special event, but to a venue of which I have heard some incredible things. Royal County Down is a world-famous links and going by what Rory has been telling me, it could possibly be the best course I play this year.

“I feel like I have a great connection with the Irish golf fans, not only from my victory back in 1999 but also from The 2006 Ryder Cup at The K Club. They are knowledgeable and respectful and also good fun so it is going to be a great week.”

Els, meanwhile, is relishing the opportunity to claim a second career title in Ireland, having won the WGC - American Express Championship at Mount Juliet Country Club in 2004. 

He said: “I haven’t played in the Irish Open for a while and I spoke with Rory in Dubai recently about the event and am very happy for him that he is involved in hosting such a prestigious event. It is a similar role I have taken with the South African Open and it is a great honour to be able to host your national open.

“I was at Royal County Down with my dad and a friend in 1998 and remember the course well. It has such great history and is probably in my top five links courses in the world.

“I am excited to play and I think the decision to host such a prestigious national open on such a great course is the correct one. Hopefully the weather will behave and we will have a great championship, I can’t wait.”

McIlroy, meanwhile, has been blown away by the response he is receiving from his friends in the golf world and is hopeful that more stars will follow suit in the coming months.

“When I took on the hosting of this event on behalf of my charitable foundation, I was confident I could convince a lot of great players to come and play the Irish Open this year but the response so far has exceeded all of my expectations,” said the four-time Major winner.

“To have Rickie, Sergio, Ernie, Lee, Darren and Graeme, as well as Mikko, already committed by February is incredible and I’m really proud to be involved in what is shaping up to be one of the great events of The European Tour season. Hopefully we’ll have a few more big names to add to that list in the next 100 days.”

More than 80,000 spectators are expected and tens of thousands of tickets have already been sold for the event, which is supported by Tourism Northern Ireland.

Related articles

• Rory McIlroy To Tee Off In £13m Legal Battle
• Rory McIlroy strengthens his position top of the pile at Omega Dubai Desert Classic
• Sparkling McIlroy sets the standard in Dubai
• Rory McIlroy's Dubai Desert Classic victory fuels Masters hopes
• Rory McIlroy has to pay his old management company $25 million (IrishCentral)
• McIlroy takes court battle to the brink

Hoey Hopes Of Thai Title Fade

Getty Images

Michael Hoey’s hopes of victory in the Thailand Classic faded after carding a one over par 73 in his third round at Black Mountain.

Hoey, who led after the opening round, started steadily picking up one shot in his opening nine holes to reach the turn at eight under for the tournament.

However the man from Ballmoney failed to gather any momentum and dropped three shots on the back nine before a birdie on the last dragged him to seven under par, eight shots off the lead of Scott Hend.

Big-hitting Hend carded a six-under-par 66 in the third round to take a one-stroke lead ahead of Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez (69) and three-times Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Thongchai Jaidee (67) of Thailand.

Another local hope Kiradech Aphibarnrat posted a 70 to be at fourth spot in the $2 million tournament, co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

Hend made birdies on the second and seventh holes but his game went up a gear after making the turn at the Black Mountain Golf Club.

He added another shot on the 10th, sunk an eagle three on the 609-yards 13th and picked up further gains on the 15th and 17th before giving up one on the last for his day’s only blemish.

“It was a good round and puts me in a good position,” Hend said.

“I played very solidly and putted quite well. I only made one mistake so it was pretty good.

“This is where you want to be, in the last group on a Sunday. I’ll be playing with Thongchai again and Miguel so it’ll be a good little test tomorrow.”

Overnight leader Jimenez stayed in the hunt with a spotless round of 69.

“I’m playing well and hitting it well,” the 51-year-old said. “I missed a few putts but I’m creating lots of chances.

“It could have been five or six under today but that’s the game and you have to take it.”

Tournament ambassador Thongchai also matched Jimenez in going bogey-free and was confident he had the game to challenge Hend in the final round.

“I played really well again today. I managed to hit 17 greens and gained lots of confidence from my finishing hole which I birdied,” said Thongchai.

“This course favours the long hitters. Just look at Scott Hend, he was getting on the greens in two on all of the par-fives. On 17, he could even reach the green from the tee!

“My style is not so aggressive but I will use my accuracy and putting and try to go low tomorrow.”

Related articles

• Kaymer collapse lets Stal win in Abu Dhabi
• Westwood, McDowell take early lead at Malaysian Open
• Australia's Day Wins Torrey Pines Playoff
• Lahiri moves into contention at Malaysian Open
• Anirban Lahiri fires 62, moves into contention in Malaysian Open

Lawrie Rediscovers Fizz

Getty Images

Peter Lawrie can trace his poor performances directly to taking up a fitness regimen that included cutting Coca-Cola out of his diet in mid-2013. The effect on his golf game proving dramatic and costing his automatic laying rights on the European Tour. 

Which he had held almost without fail since turning professional in 1997.

“I was addicted to it and I tried to stop it,” Lawrie told Newstalk "I was drinking litres of the stuff. Even in the hottest countries, like Malaysia, I would have Coke on the golf course, because I was addicted to it.”

“I went from such a high on sugar to a dramatic low,” he continued. “And I never recovered from it. I really didn’t. That was the one thing. I know this might shock people, but I lost all confidence in myself. I wouldn’t say I went for a breakdown, but I got exceptionally emotional at the end of that year and some of last year, as well. It was just very difficult to deal with all of the situations that were coming at me. Whether that had anything to do with my mental state in any shape or form, I have no idea.”

Lawrie explained that he is now on Coke again. 

A factor that has coincided with newly found form in Kuala Lumpur last week when he fired a second round 66 at the Maybank Malysian Open - and a top twenty finish. A result which sees him currently sit 73rd in the Race to Dubai. 

Dizzy heights for the Dubliner accustomed the past two seasons to being outside the top 100 - and chasing salvation at the season ending Perth International Open two years running. 

Unfortunately failing last year and having to survive this year on sponsor invites.

“When you go through what I went through for the last 20-odd months, you have to look at every situation that you’ve been in and you think, ‘How did I get here?’ I’d spent the last five years as a consistent top-60 in the European Tour Order of Merit. I was exceptionally consistent. Then all of a sudden, I couldn’t even come close to making a cut.

“It just didn’t work. I don’t know whether it triggered something in my brain or whatever, but I wasn’t the same Peter Lawrie when I did it.”

“It’s been a long time coming, I have to admit. I’ve been in the doldrums for the last 20-odd months since the Irish Open 2013 so it’s been a long wait. Hopefully, I can keep it up there,” 

“It’s tough this year, being on sponsors' invites the whole time. You’re writing begging letters, being a sole trader that I am, not with a big management group so it’s difficult but I’ll keep trying. When I get the opportunities it’s great to play well.” 

Related articles

• Coca-Cola Does Not Make Pat Kiernan's Laptop Any Happier
• Coca-Cola Company Statistics
• Business values: the old ones are still the best
• Blast From The Past - Previous Coca-Cola Super Bowl Campaigns
• Coca-Cola - #MakeItHappy - (2015) :60 (USA)
• Welcome to Grasshopper Group