Clarke named captain: What the papers said

In the wake of the announcement that Darren Clarke will captain Europe at The 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club,europeantour.comtakes a look at the global media reaction.

Having represented Europe five times as a player and twice as a vice captain, Clarke has all the hallmarks of a successful captain and will get his opportunity to prove it in a little over 19 months’ time.

BBC Sport’s chief sports writer, Tom Fordyce, writes about the qualities that make Clarke a suitable captain: “A list, in no particular order, of the ideal qualities required by a successful Ryder Cup captain: a stellar playing record in the contest, experience as a vice-captain; deference from his own players and respect from the opposition's; the ability to flourish under pressure, a relish for precision planning. All of which makes Darren Clarke's appointment to lead Europe in the early autumn of 2016 the most straightforward selection this edition will see.”

The Daily Telegraph’s James Corrigan reflects that “The last time Darren Clarke was in the Ryder Cup spotlight, the tears poured down his face before the Guinness spilt over his shirt. It is that extraordinarily emotional experience of 2006 which makes Europe’s new captain believe he can withstand anything American can throw at him at Hazeltine in 18 months.”

Karl MacGinty, writing for the Irish Independent, notes that Clarke’s ability to communicate individually and collectively with players is his greatest asset: “As he proved at Sandwich, Clarke's also blessed with eloquence, a powerful tool for any Ryder Cup captain, especially in America.”

The New York Times highlighted Clarke’s appeal on both sides of the Atlantic as an important factor: “Clarke is popular in the United States and seems suited to be Europe's captain for a Ryder Cup on American soil.”

Meanwhile, The Guardian’s Ewan Murray echoes such thoughts: “Clarke was the sensible appointment to lead Europe in Minnesota, a matter it did not take the five-man selection panel of George O’Grady, David Howell, José María Olazábal, Colin Montgomerie and McGinley long to conclude. Clarke is a golfing traditionalist, popular in the United States and has been immersed in the Ryder Cup since his first of five consecutive appearances in 1997.”

Kevin Garside from The Independent summarises Clarke’s appointment thus: “A total of 22 career victories, including two world golf championships and the Open Championship in 2011, coupled with a profound association with an event he contested five times as a player and two as vice-captain, made him the outstanding candidate to take over from Paul McGinley.”