Darren Clarke :: The players’ choice

• Social media world reacts to Darren Clarke’s captaincy
• Congratulations led by Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter
• Reaction proves Ulsterman was the players’ choice

Darren Clarke was one of the top UK trends on Twitter earlier today following his announcement as the European Ryder Cup captain, and posts from his possible players at Hazeltine in 2016 show he truly was the players’ choice for the role.

The 2011 Open champion was revealed at Wentworth after morning discussions between the five-man selection committee of George O’Grady, David Howell, Colin Montgomerie, Jose Maria Olazabal and Paul McGinley, and the responses to his appointment in the world of social media were, as ever, quick to filter through.

Before his announcement, Darren Clarke was rumoured to be the No.1 choice of fellow Northern Irishmen Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, as well as Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.

And the four players – who were all part of the victorious team led by Paul McGinley at Gleneagles in 2014 – have now got their wish, with the latter pair the first to take to social media to congratulate Clarke.

Poulter tweeted:

Westwood, however, took to Instagram and displayed a collage of photos of him and Clarke together, clearly showing his admiration for the 14-time European Tour winner.

There were also tweets of congratulations from Sergio Garcia and Paul Lawrie, both of who have appeared in multiple Ryder Cups.

While European Tour players Danny Willett and Bernd Wiesberger also praised the Ulsterman’s appointment, and will no doubt be looking to put themselves in contention for debut appearances with some strong performances over the next 18 months.

Darren Clarke named Team Europe captain :: Your thoughts

What do you make of the five-man committee’s decision to name Darren Clarke as the man to lead Europe’s Ryder Cup team at Hazeltine in 2016? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.