Darren Clarke unflinching in criticism of Gleneagles for 2014 Ryder Cup

Clarke, who has played in five Ryder Cups and was one of Colin Montgomerie's vice-captains in Wales last year, is a strong contender to be a future European captain in the biennial match.

Jose Maria Olazabal has already been appointed for next year's clash at Medinah, outside Chicago, meaning the match in Scotland will be the first opportunity for Clarke to be considered for the post. If appointed, that would create an intriguing scenario given the big Ulsterman was scathing in his remarks about the PGA Centenary Course during the 2007 Johnnie Walker Championship.

"It's unbelievable they chose to stage the 2014 Ryder Cup on this course," he said at the time. "There are unbelievable courses in Scotland, not least of which are the two others at Gleneagles, the King's and Queen's. So it's beyond my comprehension they've chosen to have the Ryder Cup on this course.

"Gleneagles is an unbelievable resort and a sensational place, but the Ryder Cup is going to be played on the wrong course. I'm going to be ripped for saying what I've said. But I just can't see it as a Ryder Cup venue, Ryder Cup golf course, and it's a shame."

Yesterday, as he savoured becoming a major winner at the age of 42, Clarke stuck by his remarks as he talked about how much he wanted to taste the experience of being a Ryder Cup captain one day, though he acknowledged the Sandwich success could have knocked that back a bit in terms of what now lies ahead in his career.

"I'd like to think I can still contend for a place in 2014 but, yes, I've made some disparaging remarks about Gleneagles in the past. My views are quite straightforward," he admitted. "To me a spade is a spade. Some people may not like it, but I say what I think. I've always done that and I will stand by what I said. At some stage in the future, that may come back to get me, but I will always stand by what I've said."

Thomas Bjorn and Paul McGinley, two other members of Montgomerie's backroom team at Celtic Manor, are other likely contenders for the Gleneagles post and Clarke's win at Royal St George's might well have given his Ryder Cup playing career a new lease of life. But he also has his sights on the captaincy. "It is definitely still an ambition at some stage and if I get the opportunity I will possibly get a little bit more respect from playing having been a major champion," he added. "As to when that will be, it is down to the committee when and if they ask me. It may or may not put my aspirations back a little bit, a couple of years from when I thought I may have been the captain.

"We'll have to see what the committee are thinking and when it's best for me to be captain, if they ask me."

In the meantime, Clarke is hoping for a playing role in both next year's Ryder Cup and, before then, the Vivendi Seve Trophy, a match between Great Britain & Ireland and the Continent of Europe, in Paris this season. "It's unfortunate these points don't qualify for the (Ryder Cup) team next year but, in saying that, I'm a major champion, so Jose Maria will be paying attention, as he always does, so we will see what that brings," he said.

On the Seve Trophy, it had been rumoured that Clarke was being lined up to be one of the captains for this year's event. "I have not been asked," he insisted. "And I wouldn't want to be captain if I've qualified for the team. I'd prefer to play. I would be delighted to be part of that team."