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Lee Westwood backs Darren Clarke for Europe Ryder Cup captaincy

Lee Westwood becomes the latest Ryder Cup player to champion Darren Clarke as the next European captain in 2016.

Lee Westwood has backed Darren Clarke to become the next Ryder Cup captain for Europe.

Clarke is heavy favourite to succeed fellow Irishman Paul McGinley and lead Europe at the biennial contest in 2016 at Hazeline Golf Club, Minnesota.

"It's about the right time in Darren's career to take up the captaincy," Westwood told Sky Sports News.

"He is very popular in the United States and I think he would make a good captain."

Despite being odds-on favourite, Clarke may struggle to get McGinley's vote as the pair's relationship is fragile.

After initially backing McGinley to be skipper this year, Clarke changed his mind and made a late run for the job himself to the disappointment of McGinley, who this weekend led Europe to a 16.5-11.5 win over America.

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Pascal Lemesre
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The victorious European Ryder Cup team celebrate with the trophy after the Singles Matches of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles on September 28, 2014
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