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• Paul McGinley has backed Darren Clarke for Hazeltine
• But admits he still doesn’t know what caused their fallout
• Clarke didn’t want McGinley as captain for 2014 Ryder Cup

PAUL MCGINLEY | RYDER CUP

Paul McGinley has backed Darren Clarke to be a success at Hazeltine – but refused to explain the full ins and outs of their bitter fallout.

The Irishman felt betrayed by Clarke after he wrote a letter endorsing McGinley’s captaincy for Gleneagles, only to put himself forward before then backing Colin Montgomerie.

It was revealed that Clarke apologised earlier this year, admitting he ‘got things wrong’ and, in an interview on TV show Feherty, McGinley didn’t want to dwell on their dispute.

“Darren had made it quite clear that he didn’t want me to be captain” – Paul McGinley

“I still don’t really know to be honest,” said Paul McGinley. “Darren had made it quite clear that he didn’t want me to be captain and he wasn’t a vice-captain for me for that reason.

Read more -> Paul McGinley ramps up pressure on USA

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“It was a shame because we’ve known each other a long, long time but he obviously had reasons. He’s captain now and I think he’ll be a very good captain.

“Like me, he’s been blessed with a great team and, like me, he’s also had two go’s as a vice-captain which is very important for a succession plan we have in Europe.”

McGinley was hailed by players, fans and media alike after the resounding victory at Gleneagles but, after a successful Ryder Cup career, admits he has no intentions of going back to being involved in the match in any way.

“I’ve done my piece and I’ve been very fortunate” – Paul McGinley

“I’m not going to be a vice-captain,” he added. “I’ve done my piece and I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve done six Ryder Cups and won all six – three as a player, two as a vice-captain and one as captain. I think it would be difficult to go back in and be a vice-captain again.

“What a captain needs are lieutenants who are 110% behind him and I wouldn’t want to put myself in a situation where I’d be in conflict with the captain having been a captain myself before.”

Paul McGinley on Clarke :: Your thoughts

Do you agree with Paul McGinley that Darren Clarke will be a good captain? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

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