Darren Clarke keen to have Lee Westwood on Ryder Cup team
Wednesday 30 September 2015 10:43, UK
Darren Clarke is determined to have Lee Westwood on his Ryder Cup team next year, but he wants his good friend to qualify outright and not rely on a captain's pick.
Westwood has endured a poor run of results this summer and has not posted a top-10 finish since March, although Clarke feels his form has been better than his scoring would suggest.
The European skipper is keen to have a man of Westwood's experience on board for the contest at Hazeltine next September, but he wants to avoid the awkward situation of having to consider his long-time friend for a wild card selection.
"Lee's stats of late are seriously impressive," Clarke told Sky Sports News HQ. "You may not think that from the way he's been scoring, but the stats are actually very good. He's still in the top echelon of European players right now.
"Of course Lee and I have been friends for many years, and our record together in the Ryder Cup was second only to Jose Maria Olazabal and Seve.
"We know each other inside out, and I know what I can expect from in in the Ryder Cup, and I think he'll have a great chance of qualifying for the team next year. I hope he does, but if he doesn't, it won't be a pick for an old pal situation - that's not the way it works.
"But with someone like Lee who has vast experience, I'd be foolish to not want him on my team. As a friend I'd like him on the team, and as his prospective captain, I'd like him to make the team."
Kaymer positive
Meanwhile, Martin Kaymer has expressed his desire to play in the Ryder Cup for the fourth time running, and he feels his suspension from the PGA Tour could help his cause.
The two-time major champion failed to play the required number of events to keep his PGA Tour card for next season, and he will not be able to accumulate any FedEx Cup points in the limited number of appearances he can make in the United States in 2016.
But Kaymer is happy to focus on the European Tour over the next few months as he looked forward to an "important" year ahead, which includes not only the Ryder Cup but also the Olympic Games in Rio.
"On the positive side, I can focus more on the European Tour and the Ryder Cup, and I'll feel more at home," said the German when asked about losing his PGA Tour playing rights.
"So to be really honest, I'm not that upset about it because I have plenty more years ahead of me and I can play on both Tours in the future.
"Next year is an important year anyway with the Ryder Cup and the Olympics Games, so I can chill a little bit and just focus on the one tour.
"If you look back at your career when you're done, you want to be part of the Ryder Cup team whenever you had the chance. You grow so much as a person as well as a player, and obviously I'll be trying everything I can to make the team again next year."
