McGinley On Clarke, Monty And A Funny Elevator Exchange

Thanks to reader Alan for Paul Kimmage's lengthy Q&A with European Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley. The format is an embellished transcript of sorts and after a while you get used to it.

Most of the best stuff comes later when McGinley talks with humility about his role, the backstabbingroom antics of Darren Clarke when McGinley was up for the job, Monty's bid for the captaincy (and Clarke inexplicably backing him) and the entire thing ends with a stellar story about a San Diego Marriott conversation that I won't spoil here.

Just part of the Darren Clarke exchange.

PK: When is the last time you spoke to him?

PMcG: I saw him in Turin last week.

PK: Did you speak to him?

PMcG: Yeah.

PK: Did you tell him he was not going to be one of your vice-captains?

PMcG: No.

PK: You never felt you had to make that call?

PMcG: No.

PK: It was obvious it wasn't going to happen?

PMcG: Yeah. Our conversations (now) are short and sweet: 'How are you? Fine. Move on.'

PK: That's kind of hard given how far you've come together?

PMcG: Yeah.

PK: And those great experiences you've shared?

PMcG: Yeah, but do you know what? It happens in all walks of life whether you're a businessman, a journalist or a golfer. It's what happens. You move on.

PK: Because the killer blow wasn't when Darren decided to stand against you, it was when he withdrew and rowed in behind Monty, someone he didn't actually like.

(He smiles but does not reply.)

PK: I'll take that as an acknowledgement.

(He changes his mind.)

PMcG: Now that was different. When you say: 'You told a lie,' I didn't tell a lie.

PK: You'll have to explain that to me.

PMcG: The answer I gave at the press conference was that I didn't have a problem with Darren standing.

PK: You weren't asked if you had a problem with him rowing in behind Monty?

PMcG: No.

PK: So you didn't tell a lie?

PMcG: Checkmate.