Darren Clarke named Europe's captain for 2016 Ryder Cup

As expected, Darren Clarke was named captain of the European Ryder Cup team on Wednesday for the 2016 matches at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.

Davis Love III is expected to be officially announced as the U.S. captain next week in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Clarke, 46, will become the first Northern Irishman to lead Europe. He has played in the Ryder Cup five times and has been a vice-captain twice. Europe has won six of the last seven contests, including three in a row. Clarke succeeds Paul McGinley, who led Europe to a 16 ½-11½ at Gleneagles in Scotland last September.

"I am lucky to have played and worked under some fantastic captains in my seven Ryder Cups to date, and I look forward to the challenge of trying to follow in their footsteps and help Europe to a fourth consecutive Ryder Cup victory at Hazeltine next year," said Clarke, a 14-time winner on the European Tour, including the 2010 British Open.

Clarke was selected by a five-man selection committee consisting of the past three European captains – Colin Montgomerie, Jose Maria Olazabal and McGinley – as well as European Tour CEO George O'Grady and European Tour committee member David Howell.

"Darren has an impressive Ryder Cup pedigree having featured five times as a player and twice as a vice-captain, so he has a strong understanding of the attributes required to be a successful captain," O'Grady said. "He is also a popular figure among the players and has both the passion and knowledge to lead Europe in the quest for a record fourth consecutive Ryder Cup victory."