McGinley says rift with Clarke will not influence opinion on next skipper

Victorious Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has said that his rift Northern Irish golf ace Darren Clarke would now influence his opinion on who should succeed him.

McGinley is part of a five-man committee who would choose the European captain for 2016. Clarke initially backed McGinley's bid to be the 2014 captain, only to put himself forward and then move on to supporting Colin Montgomerie.

McGinley said that he is going to be very professional in his input. Former Open champion Clarke had written to McGinley in 2011, offering his support to the Irishman's bid to lead at Gleneagles, The BBC reported.

But, in December 2012, Clarke revealed that he was in the running to become captain, before appearing to back Montgomerie, who had led in 2010, after the United States (U.S.) appointed Tom Watson.

Clarke said that they do have an unwritten rule where they don't ask anybody to do it again, but added that they might have to look at that.

Ultimately, McGinley was named captain in 2013 and took Europe to a 161/2-111/2 success to earn praise from players Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia.

McGinley recently admitted that his conversations with Clarke were now short and sweet, but, added that his relationship with Clarke would not be a problem for the Northern Irishman's captaincy bid.

McGinley said that he is going to get opinions from a lot of players and a lot of people before he puts his opinion forward as to what it would be. He said that just like he was very much pushed over the line by the players, he wants to get the opinion of the players.

McGinley said that he would make a professional decision based on the views of people that he respects.

McGinley will choose the new captain along with previous two skippers Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal, the European Tour chief executive and a representative from the tournament committee, the report added.