Unanimous: Darren Clarke Wins Ryder Cup Derby

Tony Jimenez of Reuters on the unanimous vote in favor of Darren Clarke to be the next European Ryder Cup Captain.

James Corrigan says the decision was essentially decided a while ago, despite the reported late bids by Jimenez and even Thomas Bjorn. Why they saw openings on the rail and made their move is not explained.

The committee convened at 10am in The Ryder Cup Room in the grand Wentworth clubhouse and actually found enough to talk about for a full two hours before the announcement was made at 12.30pm. The Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez was the primary challenger, with Thomas Bjorn also making a frankly unfeasible bid considering its lateness and the fact he had earlier all but ruled himself out.

And although Jimenez’s claims should not - and clearly were not summarily discounted - the wishes of Rory McIlroy and Co were honoured, just as they were when Paul McGinley was elected two years ago. Nine of the team who chalked up Europe’s sixth win in seven matches at Gleneagles in September expressed their preference for the big Ulsterman and, after that, it was more or less a foregone conclusion.

Alistair Tait predicts we will see a much different style and doesn't sound particularly smitten with the new leader of the European Union.

Expect Clarke to captain differently than McGinley did. Clarke is nothing like the down-to-earth, extremely likeable Dubliner.

Clarke’s manager Chubby Chandler best described his player as a “complex character.” Clarke doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and will demand things are done his way.

Many have experienced Clarke’s colossal temper over the years. He can be aloof, even arrogant at times. He has given the impression of mellowing as he has aged, but it will be interesting to see if the old “angry Darren” comes to the surface in the heat of the Ryder Cup.