Clarke denies approach over Ryder Cup captaincy

Darren Clarke has emphatically denied being approached to become Europe's next Ryder Cup captain, taking to Twitter on Wednesday to scotch rumours, while at the same time admitting it would be "an honour". "To clarify..I have not been offered the Ryder Cup captaincy," said last year's British Open champion, who was an assistant to Jose Maria Olazabal at Medinah when the Europeans thrillingly defended the Ryder Cup trophy earlier this month. "It's not decided by the committee until January. Would be a huge honour if asked." With Olazabal saying he will not lead the team in the next edition at Gleneagles in 2014, Clarke, Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn -- three of his vice-captains -- have come into the frame as possible successors, as well as Paul Lawrie, Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington.