Clarke 'still has much to learn' after EurAsia golf win

Victorious EurAsia Cup captain Darren Clarke admitted Sunday he still had much to learn ahead of leading Europe in September's Ryder Cup against the US.
Clarke led his team to an emphatic 13-point demolition of an Asian Tour team to win the EurAsia Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

His 12-man team was never headed over the three days leading by three points after Friday's opening fourballs, six points after the second day foursomes before winning nine of the singles and sharing one in an 18.5-5.5 points triumph at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.

It was Clarke's first taste of team leadership victory.

The Northern Irishman joins recent European Ryder Cup captains Paul McGinley (Seve Trophy 2009, 2011) and Colin Montgomerie (Seve Trophy 2002, 2003, 2005, Royal Trophy 2010) in having led a team to victory ahead of captaining in the Ryder Cup.

"There are a lot of things I have learnt this week -- time being one of them that I didn’t have an awful lot of," said Clarke.
"But there are a lot of positives I can take from this week and... hopefully I will do a better job when it comes to September.

"At the end of the day if your players don't perform you can be the best captain in the world but you're not going to win.

"But this week belongs to the players as they have just done fantastic. The quality of golf they have played has been impressive."

Right from the outset each of Clarke's dozen players have been praiseworthy of his captaincy including his two picks in Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.

Clarke indicated earlier in the week the veteran English pair will be a part of his Hazeltine Ryder Cup side whether competing or as one of five non-playing vice-captains.

"I have enjoyed this week immensely and it's been a wonderful learning experience," said Clarke.

"As everyone knows I have been around the game for a long time and done most things in the game.

"But this week has been different with the guys seemingly keen to listen to what I have had to say and if my little part in this week has helped them along then well be it.

"We will now go back after this week and sit down with the European Tour what I did well as a captain and what I could have done better, and then work on those areas so that we can get the whole package even better come September."

Source: AFP