Clarke Opens The Door For "Big Presence" Captain; UK Press Surmises He Is Referring To Monty

And now, he was not making a statement about his girth. Or the expanded waistline of another former Captain.

Yet, Darren Clarke says Europe needs a "big presence" skippering the 2014 Ryder Cup squad now that Tom Watson has been appointed American captain. And he was referring to a star presence.

"I think it could well affect who is appointed," said Clarke. "A lot of people, myself included, were surprised when Tom Watson was appointed."

The original unbylined PA version of the story never mentions the M word, but the mere crack in the door allows others to nominate His Montyness!

A follow-up PA story that ran in the Guardian puts Monty in the lede and notes this (from the BBC site):

Montgomerie, who did not lose a singles match in his eight Ryder Cup campaigns as a player, was not expected to be in the running for the 2014 event.

The Telegraph's James Corrigan:

Montgomerie captaining in his own country would certainly negate most, if not all, of the Scottish support for Watson, who won four of his five Claret Jugs in the country.

Brian Keogh sums it all up by noting the change in odds for Monty and writing:

The scramble for the 2014 Ryder Cup captaincy is quickly descending into a tale of intrigue worthy of the Vatican.

Thanks to Darren Clarke, we can add another name to the list of candidates to be considered before there is “fumata blanca” in Abu Dhabi next month - Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie.

Comments

[jjshaka]

I want this to happen so bad...I'm sure you do too, Geoff.

[BrianS]

McGinley surely would be the least accomplished player on either side to ever be a Ryder Cup Captain. Honestly it is something of a travesty that he is even being considered.

[fyg]

I think it will be Monty.

btw, is McGinley all that much less accomplished then Gallacher and James?

[BrianS]

@fyg - You made me wonder and look it up:

James - 18 Euro tour wins (mostly second tier events I must say) , and 7 Ryder Cup Playing Appearances. On the negative side, he has the record for the highest score ever recorded in a Euro Event - a sweet 111 at the 78 Italian Open.

Gallacher - 10 Euro Tour Wins, + 8 Ryder Cups as a player.

McGinley - 4 Euro Tour wins, 3 Ryder Cups as a player.

So based on those numbers, I would say he is no better than 1/2 as qualified as the next lowest guy that comes to mind.

[Ghillie]

Looks like Christmas has come early for "the Big Yin." Now, as long as he keeps his trap shut till Ab Dab...

The cooling of the fans' fervour has a certain rationality to it, though the Scottish fans would have been rooting for the home team anyway, and they will still be warm to Watson, if his team do not behave like baboons. (They will probably be too busy shivering and generally complaining about the weather, the food, the absence of ESPN II, etc.).

Pity about McGinley, whose one chance this was. His career is certianly less glamorous than that of many but, as has been pointed oput here before, he got every ounce out of his talent. He has been a good Seve captain and is clearly held in high regard and affection by his colleagues, which might explain his being put forward. I think he has far more of the makings of a good RC Captain than Clarke. But it may all be academic now -- stories like this have legs (cf. the Tom Watson caper).

[Stiggy]

Brian S, you are probably correct that Paul McGinley would be the least accomplished player to captain Europe (at least since 1981).
However, that does not mean he is the least qualified to captain them.
Ability as a player does not equate to captaincy ability.

Using your criteria the most qualified European captain ever was Nick Faldo.
Not only did his team lose but by all acounts he did a terrible job.

Were Mcginley to be selected to be the captain I am sure it would be because he is well regarded by the players in the locker room who have a better understanding than we do as to what constitutes a good captain.

[BrianS]

@ Stiggy - you are 100% correct as far as being a great player vs. being a good or great coach. I live in the Washington DC area and witnessed first hand Michael Jordan's efforts as a coach in basketball, which were truly awful on many levels. And experience in other sports tends to indicate that the best coaches usually come from the somewhat less talented but hard working students of the game vs the top tier of players. But that has not been the tradition in the Ryder Cup (and are they really "coaches" ?), pedigree as a player is considered a big part of the criteria in selecting the Captain. (and in the US, orthodoxy in terms of the PGA of American and staying away from President's Cup is another part) . From all accounts McGinley is a great guy, or else he would not even be in the discussion. but I can see why they might feel putting him up on the podium with Tom Watson might be problematic.

[digsouth]

while I stated I was thru commenting on RC shit, at least until it is actually at hand...I can't help but saying a word about this. . poot.

It is all money driven drivel. When did the RC become such a big deal? When the corporate world saw it as another way to suck in viewership.

So poot. McG as captain is a joke, but no more that Tom Lehman was.

Let Monty have it, and let TMZ cover the Watson past, one that is surely holding some interesting ''situations'' in his drinking days... and the Monty blabber, and flubber as well.

[BrianS]

Off topic I know, but Furyk is leading the US Open at the turn on Sunday. (GC rebroadcast). Train wreck ahead!

[Ivan Morris]

That's a big own goal by Big D'arn! By casting aspersions at the European Hyper Cup captain in 1981, BrianS is also giving a hefty impetus to Paul McGinley's chances because nobody, but nobody in European golf has had such a far-reaching, all-encompassing, everlasting impact as John Jacobs, the dismissed captain of 1981. JJ was a darn good player in a different era, who specialized in the deadly art of match-player. My vote remains unswervingly for McGinley in 2014 but I now have grave doubts about Clarke being captaincy material in 2016.

[jjshaka]

Brian S-
You don't realize what a monumental choke job Furyk pulled until you see it again...16,17, and 18. Brutal.

[OWGR Fan]

@jjshaka.... Seemed more brutal watching it a second time even though you knew it was coming.

[bob]

Chuck Norris.

[Colin MacGillivray]

The playing members of the Ryder Cup teams are all top professionals who for 51 weeks of the year have no "captain". I don't think the captain is worth half a point.
An unqualifed manager could
choose the Captain's pick based solely on the next in line on the ranking,
choose the gear they will wear,
pick pairs each day by secretly polling players on who they want to play with and
rest players the same way (secretly ask them who is playing poorly)
and make the last day order alphabetical and read speeches convincingly.
And cry if required.

[PABoy]

I hope they pick Faldo.

[johnnnycz]

Please just pick Monty for captain over the next 10 years along with permanent captains pick Poulter. Guaranteed to get some decent quotes from those two RC thoroughbreds.

And let Van De Velde helm the team in France when it's time...again for the media quotes. After-all it's all for entertainment in the end...right?

[D. maculata]

@Ghillie

Only the truly jaded would complain about the hotel, meals or service. Not that I think it won't happen. Then again, I thought the Abbotsford and Argyle hotels were fine so maybe that disqualifies my opinion.

[Ghillie]

The US visitors to Scotland -- and Britain generally for that matter -- have never been slow to complain about what they perceive the British to lack. USA Today (the newspaper for people who do not like to read) at their door every morning; ESPN II on TV (though nowadays that may be available, if Sky is getting a cut); a McDonald's or Burger King on every block (not yet, thank God). These are not, as a breed, people of learning, discernment or palates. They are Republicans at play, and they are of a group that wears baseball caps at a table, which is usually permitted in the sort of place they frequent to hoover in sustenance. The merits of the local hostelries are, in any case, unlikely to make up for the weather in October, so even I am disposed to be a little forgiving. But I can never forget one trip to an Open where the general bemusement at the very concept of fish and chips was indicative of the general level of exposure to anything not sold on a styrofoam tray in America.

[D. maculata]

Well happy holidays to you too, Ghillie. Always nice to hear good will towards men at this time of year. Makes we want to send Christmas cards to every living descendant of the Continental Army.

[Ghillie]

All this has pappened over the seasons. But enough of that -- Happy Hols to all

[Hilltop]

1. Wasn't aware that John Jacobs was suppose to be captain in 1981 and was dismissed. What's the inside story on that?

2. Clarke strikes me as someone who would be a horrible Captain. I see him as someone who would love the spotlight (and the money), but not the actual duties. I could be wrong though.

3. On the other hand, I'm a huge Paul Lawrie fan and think he'd be a fantastic Captain if given the chance.

[DTF]

Go Monty!

[BrianS]

My questioning or criticism of McGinley's playing career should in no way be construed as an endorsement of Clarke. In my view, Clarke's performance(s) after his Open W should basically disqualify him from consideration. First there was the staying out all night and showing up drunk (and still drinking) for the next day presser. I like drinking, and begrudge a celebration to nobody, especially in their moment of triumph, but a 42 year old professional should act better than that. Even worse in my book though was the way that he mailed it in for the the following year - 11 MC out of 22 events, and the made cuts were not even close to being distinguished - no top 10's and many 30/40/50 place finishes. If he had achieved his Nirvana and didn't care anymore, then just go ahead and retire, don't steal from the paying fans and sponsors. I'm sure he is a fun fellow and lots of laughs with the rest of the boys, but a Captain should have some character. If that means McGinley, then so be it.

[digsouth]

Ghillie, in reading your assessment of the Americans, if it is true....well....I am just so damned glad that I'm a Texan.

I don't know what the point of your post was, but it seems that you are some different form of those whom you have described.

I dunno...mirrors, glass houses, and so it goes....

Merry Christmas to all from Deep in the Heart of Texas!

digsouth

[digsouth]

@Brian S.

'' but a 42 year old professional should act better than that''

I was just wondering what the age over/under on celebration is.

I found his actions to be endearing to all who know his loss, and his wonderful newfound love all about the time his unexpected win arrived! He deserved to get drunk and party all night, like a ghost, a funk, a Chico, or the man. Or hell, an Irishman who won The Open!?!?

Not trying to give you a bad time, but your age reference made me wonder how old you are, and what you consider the over/under to be. Seriously, Wilson, I mean Brian. :)

Merry Christmas! I hope it is safe, fun, and filled with all the blessings you hope and pray for.

Visualize Whirled Peas.

[jay]

Langer,the only one as tough as Watson

[BrianS]

@dig - I'm 47. As I said, I understand the want/need to celebrate, he could do whatever he wanted to, but as the Champ, there are some obligations, including press the next day, and I don't think showing up loaded for that was well done. If he was 20 or something, maybe he gets a pass for stupidity and such, but at his age, he should know better. But again, it is his business, if that is what he wants to do, its fine by me - but now he's a candidate for this position. I think conduct matters. Can you imagine Ollie showing up trashed for the presser the next day after Medinah ? (He was even restrained at the embarrassing presser right after the event). But again, I get the exuberance, maybe he even gets a 100% pass on the Open behavior, but as I mentioned, his lack of effort for the next year is what is the most unprofessional thing in my book. But enough, hope everyone has a Great Christmas.

[jay]

Langer

[digsouth]

Brian....

Merry Christmas ,again.

I here what you are saying, but we just disagree.


Peace, my friend.

[Elle Gee]

Montgomerie has more chance of being the next Pope