As expected, Darren Clarke has been unveiled as the European captain for the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National.
The 2011 Open Champion becomes the first Northern Irishman to lead Europe against the United States, having played in the biennial contest five times and featuring on the winning side on four occasions. He was also a vice captain under Colin Montgomerie and Jos� Mar�a Olaz�bal in the European wins in 2010 and 2012 respectively, and succeeds Irishman Paul McGinley, who captained Europe to a 16 �-11 � triumph at Gleneagles last September.
Clarke takes the reins for the 41st Ryder Cup with the aim of leading Europe to a record fourth consecutive victory in the biennial contest.
The 46-yearold was chosen by a five man selection panel consisting of those three most recent European Ryder Cup captains - McGinley, Olaz�bal and Montgomerie - as well as the Chief Executive of the European Tour, George O'Grady, and European Tour Tournament Committee member David Howell.
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.
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