• Ryder Cup

McGinley unveiled as Europe's next Ryder Cup captain

ESPN staff
January 15, 2013
Paul McGinley will be hoping to get his hands on the Ryder Cup trophy at Gleneagles © AP
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Paul McGinley has been selected as Europe's Ryder Cup captain for the 2014 event at Gleneagles.

Following a meeting of the European Tour players' committee on Tuesday evening, McGinley was the "unanimous choice" following hours of discussions.

Darren Clarke, the 2010 Open champion, had previously withdrawn himself from the running for the post, while Colin Montgomerie, Sandy Lyle, Paul Lawrie and Miguel Angel Jimenez were also considered as candidates.

The 15-man players' committee met in Abu Dhabi to choose the captain for the 2014 tournament, evaluating the respective merits of the prospective captains before putting the matter to a vote.

"I think it's a wonderful achievement for Paul," European Tour chief executive George O'Grady said. "It reflects his great service to the European Tour and his outstanding leadership in the Seve Trophy and the Vivendi Trophy. It was carried by a unanimous decision of the players' committee which I think proved testament to the democracy of the process."

"To be leading the cream of the crop in the Ryder Cup is going to be a huge honour," McGinley said after being unveiled as captain. "To be quite honest, it's a very humbling experience to be sitting in this seat and it's a week that I'm really looking forward to."

McGinley, a vice-captain in 2010 and 2012, was believed to be the preferred choice among players after impressing with his man-management and attitude at both events - but Montgomerie, the winning captain at Celtic Manor just over two years ago, was backed by those who believed a high-profile name was needed to counter the United States' choice of eight-time major champion Tom Watson.

McGinley had long been considered the favourite for the post, but his candidacy was thrown into doubt after it was revealed on Monday that Montgomerie - who had previously dismissed talk of a second run at the captaincy - was "very confident" of being given the nod to take on the role once again.

Rory McIlroy then stressed his hope that McGinley would be given the nod - effectively coming out against Montgomerie by saying that the Scot had "nothing to gain" by taking on the responsibility for a second time.

The world No. 1 took to Twitter to congratulate McGinley on his appointment: "Common sense prevailed in the end... Paul McGinley 2014 European Ryder Cup captain!!! Couldn't be happier for him... Roll on Gleneagles".

The well-liked Clarke was the other name linked with the post - but he ruled himself out of contention early on Tuesday, ostensibly to focus on qualifying for the team as a player. He will be considered the favourite to take on the captaincy for 2016, however.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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