LEE WESTWOOD HAS nominated Darren Clarke as the best option to replace Jose Maria Olazabal as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain.

Clarke played in the Ryder Cup on five occasions, winning four times, and was an assistant to Olazabal during Europe’s stunning victory at Medinah earlier this month.

The 2014 Ryder Cup is set to be played at Gleneagles in Scotland and world number four Westwood has thrown his support behind Clarke to be Europe’s next captain after the duo won two matches together at the 2006 event at the K Club in Ireland.

“There are a lot of good candidates but if I was asked to pick I would pick Darren,” Westwood said. ”He’s been a Ryder Cup stalwart for many years.

“The one at the K Club (in 2006) will be remembered for him and his great performance under the stress of what he was going through at the time,” he said, referring to the death of Clarke’s wife, Heather, following a fight against cancer.

“He’s a major champion, he’s a very good public speaker which I think has to be taken into account, tactically very astute. I think Darren has a lot of good things going for him.”

England’s Westwood and Northern Ireland’s Clarke are known to have a good relationship after combining in 2006 at the Ryder Cup. While Paul McGinley is considered the favourite by some to replace Olazabal, Westwood believes Clarke’s career statistics makes the Northern Irishman more qualified.

“Paul has played three (Ryder Cups), Darren has played five and got a major championship and won a lot more tournaments than Paul,” Westwood said.  ”You have to have a criteria somewhere and I think Darren just edges it for me.”

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