Darren Clarke Named Captain of 2016 European Ryder Cup Team

Darren Clarke has been selected as the captain of Europe's 2016 Ryder Cup team, becoming the first Northern Irishman to have the honour bestowed upon him.

The Ryder Cup's official website announced the news:

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Darren Clarke has been announced as the European captain for The 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National in Chaska, Minnesota, from September 30 - October 2, 2016.

[...]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.

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Clarke, who has 14 European Tour wins under his belt, is an incredibly well-liked personality on the European golf scene and certainly has the respect of his peers. He's fondly remembered for his contributions in 2006, just weeks after the death of his wife, via Times Sport:

Belgian golfer and 2012 Ryder Cup winner Nicolas Colsaerts seemed very happy with the appointment, per BBC Radio 5 Live:

The 46-year-old has appeared in five Ryder Cups during his career, winning four. He was selected as vice-captain on two occasions. 

Clarke becomes the first European captain to be selected under the new procedure, implemented after the selection of Paul McGinley in 2014. McGinley led the team to its third consecutive Ryder Cup win at Gleneagles last year.

The Northern Irishman was the favourite to be selected as next year's captain, along with Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez.

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