Clarke critical of 2014 Ryder Cup venue

GLENEAGLES, Scotland, Aug 30 (Reuters) Darren Clarke has condemned the decision to stage the 2014 Ryder Cup on the Centenary course at Gleneagles, venue for this week's Johnnie Walker Championship.

The Northern Irishman, who returned to golf following the death of his wife to help Europe's team to a resounding win over the US last year, feels that the match in seven years time should not be played on what he feels is ''an American-style'' course.

Clarke had never played the Jack Nicklaus-designed Centenary course in competition until today, and he was not impressed.

After carding a level-par 73 to lie eight strokes off Briton Marc Warren's lead, Clarke told Reuters: ''I think it is unbelievable they (the Ryder Cup committee) have chosen this course to stage the 2014 match.

''There's only been one Ryder Cup in Scotland, in 1973 (Muirfield), and then they choose a course like this one.

''There are even two better ones here at Gleneagles. Scotland is the home of golf and we should not be playing on an American-style course; it's beyond my comprehension.'' Clarke is not against Gleneagles staging the match, if it were played over the adjacent Kings course, that has staged European Tour events, or the 'Queens' course.

''Gleneagles is a wonderful venue but this is the wrong course,'' Clarke said. ''The Ryder Cup is steeped in history and I just can't see it here.'' Reuters BJR GC2207