GOLF/EUROPEAN TOUR:IT WAS a very different Darren Clarke who spoke about Gleneagles yesterday to the one who five years ago lashed into the course chosen for the 2014 Ryder Cup.
Before playing the pro-am on the eve of the Johnnie Walker Championship Clarke commented: “I’ve heard all about the changes they have done. I haven’t played all of them yet, but the ones that I saw yesterday certainly were massive improvements.
“With this whole sub-air system that they have put in, it will suck the moisture out of the greens and they will be much, much better.”
After a first-round 73 in 2007 the Northern Irishman tore into the PGA Centenary Course, the lay-out selected for the first Ryder Cup in Scotland since 1973.
In addition to improving the drainage original designer Jack Nicklaus was brought back in and made changes, most significantly to the ninth and 18th holes.
Clarke last played in the event in 2008, but his return now is being linked to the fact that he is seen as a leading candidate – along with compatriot Paul McGinley – to be Europe’s captain in two years’ time.
Both have just been appointed along with Thomas Bjorn as three of Jose Maria Olazabal’s four assistants for next month’s match in Chicago and all three fulfilled the same role in the 2010 win in Wales.
“Is my hat in now? I think it’s a case of if the Ryder Cup committee were to ask me to be captain then I think it would be disrespectful to say no, wherever they asked me,” he said.
On the same subject McGinley, who has twice led Britain and Ireland to victory over Continental Europe in the Seve Trophy, said: “I prefer not to talk about that at the moment. I think we have to respect this Ryder Cup and respect this captain and I think it’s important we stay focused on that.”
The decision on the next captain is likely to be taken in January and Colin Montgomerie, who led Europe to victory last time, has reiterated that, if asked, he would do it again on home soil. “If the Tour want me to do it again I will do it gladly,” he said. “But I will not be putting my name forward.”
Nicolas Colsaerts is the only player in the Johnnie Walker Championship who can force his way into Jose Maria Olazabal’s automatic top 10 for Chicago next month.
The 29-year-old has flown to Scotland from America, where he came seventh in the Wyndham Championship on Monday, in search of the top-two finish that would leave ex-world number one Martin Kaymer suddenly in need of a captain’s pick.
Course:Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course, Perthshire, Scotland.
Prize money: €1.78 million. Winner gets €266,000.
Length:7,060 yards. Par: 72.
Field: 156.
The layout: The course, designed by Jack Nicklaus in 1993, will host the Ryder Cup in 2014. It is a mixture of tree-lines and exposed holes, with five par-fives on the card, the longest of which is 564 yards.
Defending champion: Thomas Bjorn.
Key attribute:Big hitters may have the advantage with five par-fives.
Weather forecast: Wet weather has softened the course and more downpours are expected.
On TV:Today, Sky Sports 1, 10.30am and Sky Sports 2, 3.30pm. Tomorrow, Sky Sports 2, 10.30 and 3.30. Saturday, Sky Sports 3, 1.0. Sunday, Sky Sports 1, noon.
