Clarke Takes Himself Out Of '14 Ryder Race

Paul Higham reports that a two-man race has developed after Darren Clarke pulled up on the backstretch.

"As much as I would dearly love to be captain, this may not be my time," said Clarke in Durban, where he had earlier questioned whether he whether being captain this time around would be something he wanted.

"I am exempt for another three years and if I was given the opportunity to do the captaincy, I'd effectively be throwing two of those years away.

Meanwhile, Thomas Bjorn opened the door for the Duke of Dunning...

"I don't have a strong view against appointing somebody twice," said committee chairman Thomas Bjorn. "But there are a lot of other people I think could do a very good job."

Comments

[David]

I don't think he wanted to be beaten next week so has fallen on his sword. He campaigned far too aggressively, let 'his' people belittle McGinley. When he made the call for a 'man of stature' after the Watson appointment he was basically saying 'anyone but McGinley'. And this after he had written to McGinley last year saying he had his full support? That's just not a very nice way to act and I think a lot on people have seen that.

There is no way Monty can get it again as the players simply don't like him enough and he has flogged his captaincy to death in the media. His ego is his problem. So unless they do something weird I think it will go to McGinley (the players' choice) for all the right and decent reasons.

[Dutch]

Very well put, David. Clarke starting to show his arrogant side.

[Average Golfer]

Must have been a tough decision on DC's part. Hmm.... Captaincy?, Buffet?

[MatthewM]

I fear Clarke knows Monty is across the line...

[David]

Brian nails it here!

http://www.irishgolfdesk.com/news-files/2013/1/12/captain-clarke-to-abandon-ship.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IrishGolfDesk+%28Irish+Golf+Desk%29

[metro18]

@David - "There is no way Monty can get it again as the players simply don't like him enough..."
Ask most any player on the Euro Tour who they would most like to have a beer with and Monty is in the top 5 and easily.

[David]

Not sure Jakarta will ever truly be forgotten by some. Far from a long queue of players championing his cause either. I would bet everything I have that it won't be Monty. That being said, I don't have much!!

[Irish Golf Nut]

McGinley in 2014...say Clarke gets the nod for 2016 and then a European for Paris in 2018...where does all of this leave Padraig Harrington? He'll be almost 50 by 2020...

[Sun Mountain Man]

@ Irish Golf Nut-

50 years is old is the perfect age to be a RC captain. I am willing to bet Paddy is the man in 2020!

[Hawkeye]

"A European for Paris in 2018" - Has the entire British Isles left the EU already??????

[Stiggy]

Hawkeye, a lot of British people refer to Europe and Europeans as if it were a different place.
The terms "Europe" and "Continental europe" are almost interchangeable.
At least they were when I grew up and lived there.

I know a lot of British people who think of themselves as European for three days every couple of years.