Former Open champion and Northern Irish golf legend Darren Clarke is to join the Sky Sports commentary team for its live coverage of the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
Clarke, who has made seven Ryder Cup appearances, either as player or vice-captain, will provide expert analysis from the commentary box and the studio throughout each day’s play, which will be broadcast on exclusively live on Sky Sports Ryder Cup from September 26-28.
The Ulsterman has played a total of 20 matches over five Ryder Cups, winning 10 and losing just three, with his most memorable performance coming as a wildcard selection in 2006 when he won all three of his matches and helped Europe to an 18 ½ – 9 ½ victory.
Clarke will join a Sky Sports team of commentators and experts that boasts experience from playing in and broadcasting over 100 Ryder Cups.
The 2011 Open champion will be a central part of Sky Sports’ on-air line-up for its 10th exclusive showing of golf’s most coveted matchplay event, alongside Sky regulars Colin Montgomerie, who was Europe’s 2010 Ryder Cup-winning captain, and coach to US Ryder Cup stars Butch Harmon.
Sky’s on-air team will be further enhanced by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, who played in five Ryder Cup teams and captained the US twice, winning in 1983.
Nicklaus, who has made several guest appearances on Sky Sports in previous years on its Masters and major championship coverage, will be part of the channel’s presentation team during the final day’s play.
David Livingstone will anchor Sky Sports’ live coverage throughout the weekend, while Ewen Murray, Bruce Critchley, Rob Lee and Mark Roe provide commentary and on-course updates come from 1995-winning Ryder Cup player Howard Clark – who played in six matches during his career – alongside fellow reporters Richard Boxall and Tim Barter.
Highlights programming will be presented by Sarah Stirk, who will be joined each day in the studio by Andrew Coltart and Nick Dougherty to review the key moments in the previous day’s matches.
Commenting on his new role with Sky Sports, Darren Clarke said: “The Ryder Cup has been a major part of my life, and I’m hugely excited to be working with Sky Sports on this truly special event.
“I know from experience just how gripping it can be and I hope I can help give viewers a perspective of the event from inside the ropes.”
Jason Wessely, executive producer of golf at Sky Sports, said: “Darren is a European Ryder Cup legend and a fantastic signing for Sky Sports’ coverage. He knows the event, the players and the course and will offer fascinating insight from Gleneagles.”
Sky Sports will dedicate a channel to the Ryder Cup for the first time, with Sky Sports 4 becoming Sky Sports Ryder Cup between 6am on September 18 and 6am on October 2 and showing over 330 hours of golf across 14 days, including 36 hours of live coverage from Gleneagles.
The Ryder Cup forms part of an bumper autumn of sport on Sky Sports, which includes Barclays Premier League football, UEFA Champions League, Autumn International rugby union, Formula 1, ATP tennis and NFL.
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