McGinley faces fight to captain Europe in 2014

Even though the Ryder Cup at Medinah is only a month away, massive interest has already switched to the identity of the European captain for the 2014 clash at Gleneagles.

The decision won’t be finalised until February in Abu Dhabi but canvassing is under way with much depending on the developments on and off the course during this week’s Johnnie Walker Championship at the Scottish venue.

This year’s skipper, Jose-Maria Olazabal, showed his hand last week when announcing Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke and Thomas Bjorn as three of his assistants at Medinah. The fourth spot has been left open, almost certainly for his fellow Spaniard Miguel-Angel Jimenez who, however, would come strongly into contention for a ‘wild card’ pick with victory in the Scottish Highlands.