Clarke to follow McGinley as Ryder captain?

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

That’s what the European Tour rumour mill is telling us, with speculation rife that a deal for the European Ryder Cup team captaincy covering those years is nearing completion and that this country, having never previously had the honour, is now about to savour it in two successive matches.

While that says a lot about the high profile enjoyed by both McGinley and Clarke, perhaps even more relevant is Rory McIlroy’s part in bringing this situation about. McIlroy really enjoyed playing the Seve Trophy a couple of years ago under McGinley’s leadership and, as a result, publicly supported him for the Ryder Cup job in 2014.