Darren Clarke gets the nod to be the next European Ryder Cup captain

The five-man committee made their decision at Wentworth today

After two stints as a succesful vice-captain, Darren Clarke will take the reins of the European Ryder Cup team at Hazeltine next year. The 46-year-old was tipped as the favourite for the gig and the five-man committee, which included Paul McGinley and other recent captains Jose Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie confirmed the appointment today. Miguel Angel Jimenez was thought to be the other contender, especially after being a vice-captain on three occasions, while Thomas Bjorn was also in the running but Clarke will follow in the footsteps of fellow Irish golfer Paul McGinley and lead Europe's finest against the US. As a player, Clarke played in five Ryder Cups, winning four, and his contribution at the K Club in 2006, when he won three points just six weeks after the death of his wife Heather, remains one of the most moving Ryder Cup stories. On the Ryder Cup site, Clarke said: “I am naturally extremely proud to be selected as European Ryder Cup captain for 2016. The Ryder Cup has been a massive part of my life and my career, so to have the chance to lead Europe next year is a huge honour. “I am lucky to have played and worked under some fantastic captains in my seven Ryder Cups to date, and I look forward to the challenge of trying to follow in their footsteps and help Europe to a fourth consecutive Ryder Cup victory at Hazeltine next year.”