Despite their pre-Ryder Cup captaincy differences, Darren Clarke has quickly thrown his support in favour of 2014 European Team leader, Paul McGinley.

Ireland’s Paul McGinley closed in on the 2014 Ryder Cup captaincy last night after one of his key rivals, compatriot Darren Clarke admitted: “As much as I would dearly love to be captain, this may not be my time.”

Paul McGinley to captain Europe at Gleneagles in 2014 followed by Darren Clarke at Hazeltine in 2016.

Pádraig Harrington has his last chance of making the European Ryder Cup team when he travels to Kiawah Island this week in search of a second US PGA Championship.

Despite his many fine performances in recent weeks, including top 10 finishes in the Masters along with the US and Irish Opens, Pádraig Harrington is still a long way off clinching one of the automatic 10 places in Europe’s Ryder Cup team to face the United States at Medinah in October.