LONDON — Darren Clarke will captain holder Europe in the 2016 Ryder Cup match against the United States at Hazeltine, Minnesota, tour officials announced Wednesday. The 46-year-old Northern Irishman was appointed to succeed 2014 skipper Paul McGinley after a five-man selection panel met at the tour's headquarters on the outskirts of London. Clarke was one of three candidates for the role, along with Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, and the decision to give the job to the 2011 British Open champion came as no surprise. He has a great record in the biennial team event, having tasted defeat just once in seven previous appearances as a player or vice captain, and seemed to have the backing of most of the team that won the trophy in Scotland in September. World No. 1 Rory McIlroy said last month that Clarke would be a perfect fit in the US where he is a popular figure. Clarke is likely to be going head-to-head with Davis Love III at Hazeltine, Minnesota next year after the Golf Channel reported Monday that the 1997 US PGA Championship winner would be named American skipper next week. It would be the second time Love, 50, has led the team after he oversaw the “Miracle of Medinah” defeat in 2012 when Olazabal's side stormed back to win from 10-6 down. — Reuters
