A step into the unknown as Darren Clarke answers Europe’s call

Darren Clarke admits his lack of experience as a skipper will leave him heading into the unknown at Hazeltine in 19 months’ time.

Paul McGinley had two successful Seve Trophy captaincies under his belt before leading the troops to an eighth win in 10 matches at Gleneagles last September.

And Clarke could only hold his hands up and hope he is as successful as the last two men to lead Europe without having pulled on the captain’s armband at any level — Bernhard Langer at Oakland Hills in 2004 and Ian Woosnam at The K Club in 2006.