• Ryder Cup

McDowell calls for thawing of relations

Paul McGinley, far left, and Darren Clarke, far right, were vice-captains for Europe's 2010 Ryder Cup victory at Celtic Manor © Getty Images

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Graeme McDowell has called on Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke to "put their differences aside" in order for the latter to have a shot at becoming Europe's next Ryder Cup captain in 2016.

After McGinley captained Europe to an emphatic 16.5-11.5 victory at Gleneagles on Sunday, attention has now turned to the identity of his successor at Hazeltine in two years' time.

However, while divisions in the current US team were clear to see as Phil Mickelson criticised the methods of captain Tom Watson in Sunday's final press conference, Europe's senior golfing statesmen are not immune to the dangers of disunity.

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Paul McGinley is held aloft by his European charges © Getty Images

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The relationship between McGinley and Clarke, who both served as vice-captains during Europe's 2012 victory at Medinah, has broken down since Clarke appeared to back Colin Montgomerie's candidacy to captain the side at Gleneagles.

The pair were once very close, even sharing rooms together as young men on the European Tour, but relations have since slumped to little more than the odd offhand greeting.

McDowell, who fought back to defeat Jordan Spieth 2&1 in Sunday's singles, said now was the time for the two men to put the past behind them so the team can benefit from a sense of continuity.

"Darren and Paul should put their differences aside," McDowell said. "Darren needs to spend some time talking to Paul about the way he [McGinley] has conducted himself this week.

"Paul commanded a huge amount of respect in the team room and was the best captain I have ever played under by far and that's no disrespect to any of the other captains."

Under a new process brought in after the fractious scenes of the last race, McGinley and the two previous captains - Jose Maria Olazabal and Montgomerie - will be part of a five-man selection panel, along with European Tour chief executive George O'Grady and an as-yet-unnamed member of the Players Committee.

The panel is expected to announce the next captain in the new year, but McGinley was evasive when asked about Clarke's chances.

"We'll see. I'm part of the decision-making process. That's something we will discuss over the next few months," he said.

Other candidates for the role include Miguel Angel Jimenez, who served as one of McGinley's vice-captains, as well as Thomas Bjorn, who was a member of the 12-man team at Gleneagles.

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