Golf:Rory McIlroy wants Colin Montgomerie to leave the way clear for Paul McGinley to become Europe's new Ryder Cup captain. The world number one, who returns to action in Abu Dhabi this week and will announce a 10-year deal with Nike tomorrow worth €250 million, made his thoughts known again 48 hours before Europe name their man for Gleneagles next year.
“Ryder Cup captaincy should be a 1-time thing,” McIlroy said on Twitter. “Everybody deserving gets their chance and moves on. Would love to play under Paul McGinley in ‘14.”
With Darren Clarke expected to confirm to the European Tour’s tournament committee that he does not think the time is right for him, it appears to come down to McGinley or Montgomerie for next year’s match at Gleneagles.
Last September’s captain Jose Maria Olazabal also thinks there are enough good candidates not to have to recall his predecessor Montgomerie. Olazabal, 46, still insists he will never take the job on again — not even in his home country of Spain one day.
He, of course, led Europe to a thrilling comeback victory in Chicago after they had trailed 10-4. “I would never do it again,” Olazabal said today. “First of all it’s a lot of energy and time, a huge demand and the pressure is quite big.
“It’s a different pressure, not one we are used to out there playing on the course. The media scrutinise everything you say and every possibility. On top of that, I’ve done it and it couldn’t have been any better.
“Even if it was held in Spain again somewhere down the line I wouldn’t do it. Monty has also done it and was successful too (at Celtic Manor in 2010). If I was him I wouldn’t do it again, but Monty is his own man.
“It’s being played in Scotland close to his home. It’s his decision. I am a strong believer that we have a generation of players that deserve the captaincy — and some might miss out because there are just too many. I think it’s right to give those guys a chance.”
McGinley and Clarke were long-time front-runners for the next match, but on Friday Clarke said: “As much as I would dearly love to be captain this may not be my time.”
