Smyth enhances prospects of becoming Ryder Cup captain

THE campaign to ensure there will be an Irish captain when the Ryder Cup comes to Ireland in 2006 goes on unabated.

Darren Clarke, a likely member of that side, threw his weight behind Des Smyth at the weekend, and many others from outside this country are coming round to that way of thinking.

Although he himself tried to downplay the significance of his magnificent performance in the Open Championship at Muirfield, there can be no doubt that Des Smyth enhanced his prospects immeasurably through his achievements on and off the golf course. To lead the Open Championship well into the third day in appalling conditions is testimony to his quality as a player, while the press conferences he held at Muirfield confirmed the view that his type of friendliness and diplomacy, combined with his ability to fight his corner when any contentious issue rears its head, suggest that he is just the man for the job in these very testing times.