Clarke And McGinley Chosen As Ryder Cup Vice Captains

Europe's Ryder Cup Captain, Colin Montogomerie has appointed Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke as Vice Captains for golfs biggest tournament in October at Celtic Manor in Wales.

At a press conference this morning the Scot said : "Any winning team has fantastic support behind the scenes and it is a great pleasure to introduce three experienced, passionate and well-respected people, people committed to regaining the Ryder Cup here in Wales. He added, "We're delighted Darren is with us on this occasion and  we have Paul McGinley. Paul is a European Tour committee member and who can forget the scenes in 2002 when he sank the winning putt at The Belfry for Sam Torrance's team?

In past Ryder Cup's, Monty and Clarke were team-mates in five matches, winning four of them. Indeed Clarke's first game back in 1997 at Valderrama was with him as his fourball partner.

Clarke's fellow Ulstermen, US Open Champion Greame McDowell and Rory McIlroy, are certain starters in the match and McGinley's fellow Dubliner Padraig Harrington is one of the favourites for a wild card choice. Despite poor showings at recent tour events, Harrington still has time to qualify automatically.

According to McGinley, Europe are strong favourites to triumph at Celtic Manor. "Based on world rankings, we're clear favourites," he said. "It's not often you can say that about a European side, usually it is only the Americans that are clear favourites. This is undoubtedly one of the strongest European teams we have had."

Clarke said: "It will be an honour to work under Monty and be part of his team. We will do whatever we have to do to help him. It is hugely important that the team performs the way it can perform and, the way it is shaping up at the moment, it looks like we have a fantastic team."

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.