Your Move Europe...

Arguably the biggest loser in the Tom Watson announcement as 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup captain is Paul McGinley, whose qualifications for the European job are not in doubt. His celebrity stature is.

Karl MacGinty explores the possibility of the two-man race between McGinley and Darren Clarke, and features this quote from new selection committee member Peter Lawrie.

"As someone who has yet to learn the workings of the committee, I have an entirely open mind ... but I might ask why is it only a two-horse race for the captaincy?" said the Dubliner.

"What is happening in America (with Watson) has really come out of the blue and maybe we'd need a name, a really big personality, to go up against a name."

There's only one. He's rested, ready and lives just down the street from Gleneagles!

Comments

[FT]

How long before Sandy Lyle's name gets thrown into the ring? Oooooops, I just did...

[Ian C]

If McGinley becomes captain, he'll be the least successful player in the modern era to be a Ryder Cup captain. Even Mark James had twice as many victories on the European Tour. You can count McGinley's tournament wins on one hand.

[jjshaka]

Monty Vs. Tom...would make for great box office.

[Hilltop]

Maybe Europe can bring back Mark James....On another note, for Sandy Lyle to not get selected as Captain is criminal.

[DTF]

Hell, if I were on the Euro side I'd be lobbying for Monty as a Playing Captain!

[David]

Of the last Ryder Cup team only two (Westwood - stablemate - and Garcia) chose Clarke over Mcginley. The Ryder Cup doesn't need a major winner captain for more box office, it has plenty. I am impressed with how much dignity Mcginley is handling all this. Previously Clarke had told him he would support him for it, now he's opposing him. That's not classy and not right. I really hope they pick Mcginley. The players want him, he is smart and an honest genuine guy. Clarke will have his time - 2016 will be just fine. Watson against Mcginley as captains would be a noble and competitive matchup.

[chico]

have you seen him play recently Del?!

[chicago pt]

Geoff, does your last line refer to Jacklin? that pick would be great!

[Richard E Normus]

"Hell, if I were on the Euro side I'd be lobbying for Monty as a Playing Captain! "

Hell, if I were on the US side I'd be lobbying for Monty as Playing Captain of the Euro side, his time has been and gone, now he gets to talk about it in mythical tones forever!!!!!!!!!

[DTF]

I'd argue that McGinley's "celebrity status" is not "in doubt" either ;)

chico, not so much lately. But I've also never seen him fail on the Ryder Cup stage!

[David]

Great to see Mcilroy throwing everything behind McGinley. Will be an interesting few weeks!

[Matt]

Tom Watson v Bernard Gallacher re-match...

[Bobby D]

Is this WWE Raw Smackdown or golf?

[Pat Burke]

Based on Watson's past, wouldn't Faldo be perfect?
Similar careers
Similar family issues
Both are smartest guy in the room

[DTF]

Heeey....Faldo's a HOF multiple major winner on the "family issues" front, by comparison Watson is a journeyman ;-)

[jjshaka]

Bobby D-
Preferably both.

[Bobby D]

On a side note, does anyone know how much financial reward goes to the American Ryder Cup Captain? I mean this thing has become such big bucks with two years to milk it Watson should be able to cash in pretty good. I mean the dude was already doing a photo-op on top of The Empire State Bldg. today. About the only thing missing was King Kong.

[BrianB]

Chicago Pt-Geoff is referencing Monty.

Geoff do you really think Monty would want to be captain? (Joking of course)

[Stord]

I would strongly support giving Mark James another chance...

[Media maven]

PGA does not pay but picks up all expenses to appear at press conferences, etc. Captains can enhance their endorsement and corporate outing & speaker fees significantly, I'd think, to the tune of 100-200++ G's per year, depending on how much they want to chase...It certainly raises their profile and makes them more in demand for a year and a half. Curtis Strange got an extra year due to 9/11. Creshaw and Zinger wrote books. Big bucks. Jacklin always says he didn't make money off captaincy, but hard to believe it.

[Fifth Column]

chicago pt,

Jacklin lives in Bradenton, FL.

[Chicago pt]

Thanks guys....but I still think Jacko would be good

[DTF]

Watching the Watson interview and he says he's been talking with Ted Bishop and the PGA for over a year! And to think some thought he should shoot down the speculation!

[Hawkeye]

Monty's the man!

[Alan McD]

I think there is some jesting re- Monty, but the Watson appointment does open the door slightly for Monty repeat. Gleneagles 2014 was the gig he always wanted, we know his ego demands another tilt, and the ET may want a heavyweight (literally and metaphorically) to counter Watson.

I had favoured a Larry Nelson / Sandy Lyle dream ticket on the basis that it righted two significant wrongs. As much as I still say Sandy was shockingly overlooked, I supect Watson would have him for breakfast.

It's a shame Seve is no longer with us, otherwise we would have our 2014 captain locked in.

[fyg]

Alan,

I'm hoping both wrongs get righted in 2016.

Agree Lyle could get out maneuvered, but a really good vice-captain like McGinley would come in handy.