The next edition of the Ryder Cup (at Hazeltine National Golf Course in Chaska, Minnesota, might be a year and a half away but the captains’ battle has  already begun – with the names of the respective team leaders now revealed. Darren Clarke, making his debut as captain, and David Love III, who led the Americans in 2012, have been selected to achieve either glory or failure for their teams.

When Love III captained the Americans in Medinah (Illinois) three years ago, the Europeans – led by José María Olazábal – triumphed by a single point thanks to a spectacular comeback on the final day. It was the fourth time in five editions that Uncle Sam’s nephews had succumbed against their adversaries (they have only won the cup twice in the last 10 tournaments).

Both Love (50 years) and Clarke (46) have impressive career records, with one major each.

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.

He 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.

For his part, Love III becomes the eighth American to guide multiple Ryder Cup teams and the 28th person to serve as US captain since the tournament began in 1927.

\"I am thrilled to be the team USA captain and represent our country as we work to win back the Ryder Cup,\" said Love. \"It is a great honour to be in the position to help build the team, but our mission doesn\'t end there. What we accomplish in 2016 at Hazeltine must serve as the foundation for future USA Ryder Cup teams. As the son of a PGA professional and representing all PGA members, I am very proud to accept this responsibility and eager to get started.\"

In addition, Love named former Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman to serve as one of his vice-captains. Lehman, the 2006 U.S. captain, was a member of three Ryder Cup Teams.

\"I am very pleased that Tom Lehman has accepted to serve as a vice-captain, bringing his outstanding experience and the respect of all players to our next Team,\" said Love. \"Tom has been a trusted friend who I can call upon to provide valuable advice as we go about preparing Team USA.\"

The members of the US Ryder Cup Task Force, who elected Love III, were co-chairs Sprague and PGA Chief Executive Officer Pete Bevacqua; PGA Vice President Paul Levy, Raymond Floyd, Tom Lehman, Love, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods.

The captains’ duel in Minnesota next year will be for high stakes. At 1.91 metres, Love III is in fact three centimetres taller than the Northern Irishman, but the Ryder Cup is not a question of size – but   rather of talent.

 

 

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