Former European Ryder Cup captain distances himself from second stint

Former Ryder Cup skipper Paul McGinley has already distanced himself from taking the reins of Team Europe at Bethpage Black in two years' time. 

McGinley's European side defeated Tom Watson's Team USA 16½ to 11½ at the 2014 Ryder Cup in Scotland. 

The Irishman is considered among his peers as one of Europe's greatest ever captains. 

All 12 players who were in his team have continually praised his immaculate attention to detail. 

In a recent interview with Golfweek's Adam Schupak, McGinley admitted he would have loved to have attempted to 'write the away template'. 

He told the publication Europe have 'nailed' the home formula after Team USA were condemned to a seventh consecutive loss on the road at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in September by Luke Donald's fearless team. 

McGinley said: "I'm 10 years aways from being a captain, I'm 56 years old, there's a certain disconnection with the current crop of players."

He added: "I think it so much more difficult away and I'd have loved to have written the away template but I thought it was greedy to go again. I knew there were a lot of guys waiting patiently behind me and I thought it would be unfair to go again."

McGinley said it wouldn't be a surprise if Donald were to continue in the role. 

The Englishman was serenaded with chants of 'two more years' by Team Europe in the immediate aftermath of a five-point victory in Italy. 

Minutes after that, Rory McIlroy later claimed Europe would win at Bethpage Black. 

"So I've said this for the last probably six or seven years to anyone that will listen," McIlroy previously said. "I think one of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup.

"And that's what we're going to do at Bethpage."

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by . (@golfmagic)

McGinley added: "In an ideal world, you should do two captaincies – one home and one away. That would be a real test of the captain, wouldn't it?"

Donald is clearly the hot favourite to continue but there are a host of suitable candidates. 

Europe looked like they were going to have a golden generation of captains before LIV Golf came along. 

Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell were all being touted as future captains. 

They may yet still get the opportunity. 

Early indications suggest either Nicolas Colsaerts or Edoardo Molinari will get the nod for 2025. Both served as Donald's vice captains. 

Stewart Cink is the hot favourite to lead Team USA. That's if Tiger Woods doesn't want the job. 

Read more:

• Ryder Cup snub Lucas Glover sheds new light on Patrick Cantlay revelation
• Rory McIlroy reveals extent of wild Ryder Cup celebrations
• Rory McIlroy accused of being 'disrespectful' by major champion
• "Be curious not judgmental" Sky's Weir argues with Knost over Ryder Cup debate