This is Grimsby -- PAUL McGinley was the players' choice and therefore the right choice for Europe's next Ryder Cup captain. The Dubliner was always an early favourite for the role, but first Darren Clarke and then Colin Montgomerie came up on the rails. The argument against McGinley's appointment was Europe needed a captain with world-wide renown and profile to match up to US skipper, the imperious Tom Watson. Montgomerie and Clarke were always going to win out in a battle of titles, but, most importantly, McGinley got the nod from Medinah heroes such as world number one Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter. As the announcement approached, the tide appeared to turn towards Montgomerie; already a winning captain with Team Europe in 2010, and someone with arguably nothing to gain from assuming the role again. But in the end, McGinley got the gig and rightly so. It means at Gleneagles, just as in Chicago last September, the European team will be led by a captain that it would seem has the broad support of the dressing room. And, in an event where team spirit and togetherness are often deciding factors, it could prove to be a masterstroke.
Reported by This is 2 hours ago.
↧