In a move that likely would bewilder political advisers everywhere, Darren Clarke has suggested that the European Tour’s Tournament Committee select a Ryder Cup captain with a “huge presence” to counter the Americans’ appointment of Tom Watson.
Even if that means Clarke isn’t the man for the job.
“Maybe we have to have a look and consider other people as well,” Clarke said, via an unbylined Reuters report. “Whoever it is standing on that stage opposite Tom Watson needs a huge presence. We seriously need the right man for the job. We do have an (unwritten) rule where we don’t ask anybody to do it again, but we might have to look at that.”
Before potentially sabotaging his own campaign, Clarke (along with Paul McGinley) was considered one of the co-favorites to land the gig at Gleneagles. Some have even suggested that the committee name the next two captains at the same time.
But the PGA of America’s decision to bring back Watson, who last captained the U.S. in 1993, “put down a statement” and “it could well affect who is appointed,” Clarke said.
“If they asked me to do it, it would be a difficult decision to take,” he conceded. “I’m still only 44 and it’s not that long ago that I won the Open (in 2011).”