Clarke weighs in behind new captain

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

Clarke, the 2011 British Open champion, initially announced he would contest the captaincy. But Clarke withdrew last week and McGinley was unanimously voted in by a Players Committee.

“I just hope we can put everything behind us because the important thing is that we all get behind Paul as captain and give him as much support as we can,” said Clarke.

“For me, the focus is trying to play my way onto the team. That’s why I announced I didn’t want to be considered for captaincy this time. I want to play and do my bit at Gleneagles.”

And fellow committeeman, Peter Lawrie has commented on his emotions sitting on the first ever Players Committee.

Lawrie had joined countryman Rory McIlroy, Pádraig Harrington and Shane Lowry at the back of a St Regis hotel ballroom for McGinley’s near 30-minute news conference.

“I’m delighted for Paul, absolutely delighted and just very happy for him,” said Lawrie.

“It was a very interesting meeting but then as my first Players Committee meeting it was also a bit daunting but still very interesting. But it’s a great boost for Irish golf in general to finally have an Irish-born Ryder Cup captain and Ireland really deserved it as we have had so many Ryder Cup players for such a long time.

“Along with Paul we’ve had so many Irish-born Ryder Cup players who have been involved in holing the winning putt or chip-shot so Paul’s appointment is another great chapter in Irish involvement in the Ryder Cup.

“It’s also going to be great now for all the Irish-born players on Tour who now have a very extra, special reason to try and qualify for Gleneagles.”