European Ryder Cup captain decision may be delayed until after Abu Dhabi Championship

Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley are in the running to face Tom Watson, but Tour organisers may not now take the vote on the captaincy in the capital next year.

European Ryder Cup winning captain Jose Maria Olazabal kisses the trophy after the 2012 victory.

European golf chiefs may postpone a decision on who will captain the continent's Ryder Cup side until after next month's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

The European Tour committee was due to meet ahead of the competition in the capital in January where it was thought a vote on who would be pitted against US captain Tom Watson would take place.

Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley have been tipped for the role, but Tour chief executive George O'Grady said the tournament committee vote would "not necessarily" happen before the Abu Dhabi Championship.

Although Clarke is ahead in the betting, there are many - world number one Rory McIlroy included - who would prefer to see McGinley given the job in Scotland and then Clarke take over for the 2016 match in America.

Colin Montgomerie, captain at Celtic Manor two years ago and a member of the committee, said: "It will be a very interesting debate and I will listen to it."

Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo were named for the 2008 and 2010 matches at the same time and Montgomerie added: "There is an opportunity to do two at one time again. Both (Clarke and McGinley) are respected in the game and great candidates.

"The fact that Tom Watson has been made America's captain should not colour our judgement. We should have only one criteria - picking the best man for the job."

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