Celtic crusade

Ryder Cup vice-captain tells skysports.com he hopes to play at Celtic Manor

By Paul Higham   Last updated: 27th August 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Celtic crusade

Clarke: Hopes to play in Wales

There's a long way to go there's a lot of players higher up the rankings so we'll see. Yes, there's a few pluses to me playing but we shall see, we shall see nearer the time.

Darren Clarke
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Vice-captain Darren Clarke admitted that it would be an interesting discussion with Colin Montgomerie if he felt he was playing well enough to earn a wildcard pick to play in the Ryder Cup.

Clarke joins Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn as Montgomerie's assistants at Celtic Manor, but while he is delighted with his role he is also desperate to try and play his way back onto the team.

The Ulsterman missed out last time in Kentucky but has a superb Ryder Cup pedigree, starring in Europe's hat-trick of wins from 2002-06, and has been on just one losing team out of five.

His friendship with Lee Westwood must also be a huge consideration, as Clarke and the current world number three are the second most successful partnership in Ryder Cup history.

For now though, Clarke is relishing his role as vice-captain as it currently stands.

Delighted

"I was delighted obviously, the Ryder Cup is something that's close to my heart - it has been for a long, long time," Clarke told skysports.com.

"When Monty and I eventually got together at the Open, we tried to do it a few weeks before that but hadn't quite been able to do it, we sat down and had a chat - he asked me and I was delighted and honoured to say yes."

Clarke played well in finishing runner-up at the Scottish Open before showing flashes of form at the Open, and a few more good tournaments over the summer will certainly play him into contention for Celtic Manor.

Although qualifying may be just out of reach, Clarke's name would be right up there with the list of hopefuls considered for one of three captain's picks for the event.

With Montgomerie already saying he will talk to his vice-captains about possible picks, it could make for an interesting discussion between the four when talking about Clarke's prospects.

Record

Clarke won three out of three at the K Club in Ireland 2006, in what was a hugely emotional performance from him following the death of his wife, and he would relish the chance to play in the event again.

"I have thought about it and Monty and I have talked about it and he said if that's the case then he wants me there at Celtic Manor one way or another, so if I was to play well between now and then and manage to qualify, then that's an issue we'll have to deal with nearer the time.

"If I didn't qualify I'd probably volunteer myself (for a pick) but these two (McGinley and Bjorn) probably wouldn't agree!

"But on a serious note we shall see, there's a long way to go, there's a lot of players higher up the rankings so we'll see. Yes, there's a few pluses to me playing but we shall see, we shall see nearer the time.

"But he's going to have tough decisions to make whatever way it comes and with the team as it stands, as Monty's said himself, he's got a lot of world stars who aren't in the team right now."

Comments (5)

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David Wilson says...

I don''t think he will pick Clarke. There are too many other players to choose from who won''t make the automatic list (e.g. Harrington, Karlsson, Fisher etc). Unless he plays well at the US PGA then I''d say there was no chance of Clarke being in the team.

Posted 17:15 29th July 2010

Iain Bradley says...

John Crowder (13:02) is letting his heart rule his head I fear. Monty needs to pick players on form, not sentiment. There''s plenty of Europeans who would relish the pressure of occasion. I''m surprised he''s not calling for Monty to get the sticks out himself!

Posted 14:03 29th July 2010

Paul Stevens says...

You''ve got to go with experience - the current team on the standings is way too young. I say give the captian 6 picks. I''d have Clarke in there for sure, and some other players who have been there and done it. If I had 6 picks, I''d have Langer, Olazabal, Bjorn, Thomas Levet and Monty himself ! Add to that a few youngsters like Westwood and we''ll win the cup hands down

Posted 13:45 29th July 2010

Paul Stevens says...

Despite his good record I don''t think Monty can pick him. There are better younger players out there now whi are closer to qualifying. Surely Garcia should get picked if it is on Ryder Cup record.

Posted 13:38 29th July 2010

John Crowder says...

Its encouraging to see Clarke in good form. If he continues in this manner then Monty should seriously think about picking him, even over someone like Harrington. You know he wouldn''t let anyone down and would relish the pressure of the occasion.

Posted 13:02 29th July 2010
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