Tiger: Clarke would be ‘a blast’ as Europe Ryder Cup captain

Tiger Woods believes either Darren Clarke or Miguel Angel Jimenez would make an ideal European Ryder Cup captain in 2016.

There is strong speculation Jimenez’s lack of English will rule of him out in the eyes of the five-man committee who will select Paul McGinley’s successor next month. Clarke has already received the backing of Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood, Justin Rose and Ian Poulter. But 14-time Major winner Woods, who sat out this year’s Ryder Cup through injury, believes the race is wide open.

“Either Darren of Miguel would be a great European captain as they both get along with the players so well including many of those competing for the US,” said Woods.

“They’re also both great guys and both a very good friends of mine, as well. It’s true Darren and I go a long way back, and all the way back to when both he and I were working with Butch (Harmon) and that’s back to around 2000, so I’ve known Darren a long time. Darren’s also very popular everywhere and not just in the States but then also is the ‘Mechanic’ (Jimenez) and he would make a great captain. So if I make the 2016 US Ryder Cup team, and that’s the goal, then I think it would be fun to be in a US team with Darren as the rival European Team captain because I’ve played with him and against him and we’ve always had a blast.”

Meanwhile Texan sensation Jordan Spieth has ruled out contesting next year’s Rory McIlroy Foundation Irish Open at Royal Country Down. Spieth revealed on route to a 10-shot success in the Hero World Challenge he had been approached by McIlroy to compete in the event being in the last week of May. “Rory’s spoken to me about playing the Irish Open but I am contesting the Byron Nelson that same week in Dallas, and that’s my home town,” he said “I’m going to play all four events in Texas next year so I’ve had to tell Rory I can’t make it.”