Unanimous: Darren Clarke Wins Ryder Cup Derby

Tony Jimenez of Reuters on the unanimous vote in favor of Darren Clarke to be the next European Ryder Cup Captain.

James Corrigan says the decision was essentially decided a while ago, despite the reported late bids by Jimenez and even Thomas Bjorn. Why they saw openings on the rail and made their move is not explained.

The committee convened at 10am in The Ryder Cup Room in the grand Wentworth clubhouse and actually found enough to talk about for a full two hours before the announcement was made at 12.30pm. The Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez was the primary challenger, with Thomas Bjorn also making a frankly unfeasible bid considering its lateness and the fact he had earlier all but ruled himself out.

And although Jimenez’s claims should not - and clearly were not summarily discounted - the wishes of Rory McIlroy and Co were honoured, just as they were when Paul McGinley was elected two years ago. Nine of the team who chalked up Europe’s sixth win in seven matches at Gleneagles in September expressed their preference for the big Ulsterman and, after that, it was more or less a foregone conclusion.

Alistair Tait predicts we will see a much different style and doesn't sound particularly smitten with the new leader of the European Union.

Expect Clarke to captain differently than McGinley did. Clarke is nothing like the down-to-earth, extremely likeable Dubliner.

Clarke’s manager Chubby Chandler best described his player as a “complex character.” Clarke doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and will demand things are done his way.

Many have experienced Clarke’s colossal temper over the years. He can be aloof, even arrogant at times. He has given the impression of mellowing as he has aged, but it will be interesting to see if the old “angry Darren” comes to the surface in the heat of the Ryder Cup.

Comments

[smails]

[insert writer here} predicts we will see a much different style.....

[gov. lepetomane]

"Clarke doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and will demand things are done his way."

Sounds kinda like Old Tom Watson. Hopefully, the description is exaggerated.

[Amen Coroner]

Darren and Davis woulda coulda shoulda been a lot better if it were Darren and Freddy. Oh yeah its not about the Captains so why so much coverage???

[Colin Snape]

I think he's taken the weight loss thing too far. Has it hurt his game??

He was quite good doing TV during last Ryder Cup. Has a future there.

[Center Cut]

''Tell 'em Darren sent ya''. Does this mean Your Golf Travel gets breaks in Chaska 2 star hotels?

Not a very nice person, but better than Bjorn.

[jjshaka]

So Darren is akin to histories greatest monster, Tom Watson?
What if he wins?
You can't possibly win if the captain is a no B.S authoritarian!
Why, it's almost as if there may be another element to winning these things...what it could be?

[HBL]

At the least the Euros didn't have a "leak" about the Captain to be; already off to a better organizational start than the Americans.

[Plot Twist]

Aloof and arrogant?
Wow, maybe that's why they picked Davis. Two cards from the same deck!

[digsouth]

I guess this means the Americans will have to raise thee clarke bar.

[Press Agent]

jjshaka, you missed one thing: Clarke is not a crotchety old man who gets tired easily, so there is quite a difference between them, even if some personality traits are similar.

[Pro from Dover]

My understanding is that Clarke and Love were close, personal friends.???? True or not true? And I don't mean the normal, "he's a good friend and I hated beating his brains in today", type of PC trash.

[jjshaka]

Press agent-
Fair point

[MSG]

Watch what Clarke does to unite his potential team in the next 18 months. By the time they get to tee it up, they will have spent a boatload of time together and will have a plan as to the pairings, strategy, etc.... Tom Watson had a "voluntary" trip for all the potential team members across the pond, and only Bradley and Furyk showed up. It was over as soon as that happened, as it spoke volumes of his level of credibilty and leadership. They could have removed him after that fiasco. I would have made it simple: if you have a spot locked and want to play, you better show up. If you're on the bubble and don't come, you're no longer on the bubble, period. Being a member of the US Team should be a privilege, and the trip was a small ask to show some allegiance...

[gg]

I remember Darren getting Davis to have a cigar on camera after their Ryder cup singles a few matches ago. Seemed pretty friendly.