Former Open Champion Darren Clarke feels World No.1 Rory McIlroy can lead Europe to victory in next week’s Ryder Cup clash at Medinah.
The USA are favourites to win the prestigious trophy and can be backed at 8/11 to reclaim the title they lost at Celtic Manor two years ago.
McIlroy was on that team and performed with credit but he is a different player now with two major championships under his belt and a host of titles elsewhere.
The Northern Irishman will also head to Chicago as the number one-ranked player in the world and Clarke feels his compatriot, who is 5/1 to be top European points scorer with
Ladbrokes, will be the scalp that the USA team want the most.
“Rory’s now the number one player in the world and he’s respected by the Americans as well as the Europeans,” he said. “He’s possibly going to be our leader, but you’ve got a load of more experienced guys.”
Europe have won four of the last five Ryder Cups but they will face arguably the best American team in years, with a mixture of youth and experience and players that have won on the PGA Tour this year at every turn.
Clarke, who will be part of Jose Maria Olazabal’s team throughout the three days of competition, feels Europe can win but agrees with the majority that there is nothing to choose between the dozen stars on either side of the Atlantic.
“This year going into it, the teams are so even,” he added. “I’m sure it’s going to be a really close match again.”
