Darren Clarke a sound choice for Ryder Cup captain, says Ewen Murray

Ewen Murray salutes the appointment of Darren Clarke as Europe's new Ryder Cup captain, and calls for Tiger Woods to be left alone to regain his form and fitness.

It's been a busy week in the world of golf with Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke being handed the reins of the European Ryder Cup team for 2016.

The unanimous decision by a five man panel was announced at the Tour’s Wentworth headquarters in midweek and I don't think many, if any, would have disagreed with what is a popular outcome. Miguel Angel Jimenez was in the running and Thomas Bjorn was mentioned, but for these two popular gentlemen, the timing wasn't right although their time may well come in the future.

Spanish star Jimenez, is still competitive not just on the European Tour, but also on the Champions Tour where he has made an impressive start to his over-50 campaign. He has recently relocated to Austria to begin a new era of his life and he is enjoying playing as much now as he has ever done.

Thomas is much in the same boat and, over the last few years, the Dane's performances have been sound and consistent, so this particular Ryder Cup captaincy came too soon for both of them.

Like the majority, I believe Europe have the right man at the helm at the right time and Darren will bring much to the table. With a win ratio as a Ryder Cup player of just under 60%, he brings a wealth of experience from playing on home soil and in the USA. He has played under several captains and from these experiences will have gleaned the good, the bad and the indifferent.

Darren’s career record of 25 wins I think - given his natural talent - should have been more, but in there is that glorious Open Championship victory at Royal St George's in 2011. Perhaps more important as the new captain are the two World Golf Championships he won in California and Ohio.

Tiger Woods was at his peak when Clarke defeated him in the final of the Accenture Match Play final at La Costa in 2000, and that was followed three years later with victory at Firestone in the Bridgestone Invitational when Woods and Phil Mickelson were writing all the golfing headlines.

These two titles ensured Darren had won the respect of the American golfing public and I'm sure that will be a huge plus when Europe defend the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine next year.

Emotive scenes

Like his predecessor, Paul McGinley, the Ryder Cup flows in his veins. Those who were at the K Club in 2006 along with the millions who watched on television will surely never forget the emotive scenes in County Kildare. The month before, Clarke had lost his wife Heather to cancer at the age of 38. I'm sure it would have been Heather's wish that he played for Europe in front of his own folk. With a heavy heart, he bared his soul to the world, gave his all and having done that, he retreated from the sport to grieve and begin a life he was unfamiliar with.

Through the passage of time, he became an excellent single parent to his sons, Tyrone and Conor, who are excelling in their chosen paths. His marriage to Alison has once again introduced stability to his life.

So what kind if a captain will Darren Clarke be?

Like Paul, he will be meticulous with every avenue explored before making decisions. I'm sure he will have quiet words with the likes of Monty, Sam Torrance, Jose Maria Olazabal, Bernhard Langer, and Ian Woosnam. He'll store what information he receives from them and use what he feels is necessary.

But more than anything, Clarke will be his own man with his own style. What will have pleased him more than anything is the support he has received from what is likely to be the nucleus of his side in 18 months’ time.

Team support

The importance of that cannot be underestimated. It's vital to have your team fully behind you from the beginning and not endure what we witnessed with the sorry debacle of Tom Watson at Gleneagles.

I also believe that captaining the side away from home is more difficult and it requires a certain type of character. Darren Clarke has the character and the respect from all sides. He deserves this position that many would class as the pinnacle of their careers.

He is part of Ryder Cup history and he has made an outstanding contribution to the European Tour for close on quarter of a century. I wouldn't be surprised if his own career enjoys an upward surge as he will be playing alongside the players he is likely to have in his team. That will give him a lift and like all top professional golfers, pride is very much part of their world.

Clarke will be his own man with his own style. What will have pleased him more than anything is the support he has received from what is likely to be the nucleus of his side in 2016

Darren will be well aware that he has tough acts to follow. Montgomerie was magnificent in Wales, Olazabal's spirit was heart-warming at Medinah and Paul McGinley took the captaincy to a new level last time in Scotland.

Who will be his opposition? If all reports in America are to be believed, it will be Davis Love, and I believe that would be a good appointment. But for the miracle that landed on his lap in Chicago, he could well have been a winning captain in 2012. He is still very much in touch with the current crop of players, something that - after Tom Watson's tenure - would be deemed to be vitally important.

Fred Couples is also in the frame and I'm sure he would be a popular choice, but knowing Fred, would he be willing to devote the time necessary over 18 months? I'm not so sure. All will be revealed in the week ahead.

Obsession with Tiger

Meanwhile, America's fascination for Tiger Woods continues. His agent confirmed Woods would not be ready to play in next week's Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens. As Tiger is now outside the world's top 50, he is not eligible to compete in the WGC-Cadillac event at the revamped Trump Doral in Miami the following week.

The golfing world should let Woods recover and only when he is fully fit and ready to compete should we be talking about his return. One of the most frequent questions I'm asked is “will Tiger win another major”, or indeed “will he win again on the PGA Tour?” Of course I cannot answer that - only Tiger can.

In the modern era, apart from Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, many of the major champions have had a relatively short spell at the very top. You could add Lee Trevino and Ernie Els to that list.

Arnold Palmer won his majors in a seven year window. Nick Faldo won his six during an eight-year term, Tom Watson collected his from 1975 to 1983, Seve won his handful in just under a decade - much the same time as Phil Mickelson has taken to has collect his.

Tiger won his first in 1997, his last came 11 years later. Maybe that is 'about' the term of greatness. Maybe Woods will get his second wind, but his health will determine that. For now he should be left alone to heal and return only when he is capable of, once again, being Tiger Woods.

Surely nobody enjoyed seeing his performance in Phoenix or his early departure from Torrey Pines. With America's television cameras focused on his every move – whether he is two under par or eight over - they are doing a disservice to the rest of the competitors and the same to their viewers.

Having witnessed virtually all of Woods great moments, and there have been many, I hope he returns and thrills us all once again, but in his own good time.

Destination Florida

With the West Coast Swing concluding at Riviera, all attention moves to the Eastern Seaboard of the United States beginning with the Honda Classic next week. The nights are getting a little brighter at home and the air will soon have that spring warmth to it. Your new season is just a few weeks away.

It's a wonderful time of the year and the build up to the Masters is exciting for all. Rory McIlroy returns to action at The Bear Club this week and, should he start where he left off earlier this month, he will be the one to beat.

Enjoy the action from Florida over the next fortnight.

The Florida Swing begins on Thursday with the Honda Classic at PGA National. Watch the action live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf.