Augusta success a boost for Cup hopes '“ Clarke

Defending champion Jordan Spieth, left, helps 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett, of England, put on his green jacket following the final round of the Masters (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

With champion Danny Willett one of seven Europeans in the top 15 at Augusta, Clarke said the final leaderboard had delivered a real positive ahead of the much-anticipated showdown with the USA in the autumn.

Clarke also spent time with golf fan Sir Alex Ferguson at Augusta and said he intended to visit him again in England to pick the former Manchester United manager’s brain.

The former Open champion, who missed the cut in Georgia, was at his home club at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland to launch the start of a Ryder Cup trophy tour.

“It was a wonderful week from a European perspective,” said Clarke of the Masters.

“With the winner Danny Willett and indeed Lee Westwood playing a lot better and Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick, there were so many Europeans up there in the top 10.

“So it was a very positive week for the Europeans.”

Willett’s victory was the first major of the Yorkshireman’s career, but Clarke said it came as no surprise to him.

“He’s been playing really well now for a couple of years. I am a good friend of his, I’ve spent a lot of time with him and his game has just been getting better and better,” said Europe’s Ryder Cup captain.

“It’s certainly no surprise whatsoever. He’s performed really well, especially of late again, and from a personal point of view I was delighted to see him win.”

Clarke, 47, said it was also great to see his close friend Westwood – who finished joint second at Augusta –- contending in a major again. “To see him playing in the manner and fashion that I know he ca–n is certainly very, very heartening,” he said.

The 2016 Ryder Cup is being held at Hazeltine from September 30 to October 2.