Paul McGinley has said Darren Clarke has to do “what’s best for him” and not focus on emulating Ryder Cup captains who have come before him.
Clarke was today named captain of the European team for 2016 and has said he has "big shoes to fill" ahead of next year's match in the USA.
He will be leading Europe's attempt to retain the trophy at Hazeltine.
The British Open winner succeeds McGinley - who was part of a five-man panel who selected Clarke.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, McGinley had the following words of advice for Clarke.
“I think he’ll do a very good job and I think he’ll represent us well,” McGinley said.
“It’s not necessarily about following me or following Monty (Colin Montgomerie) or following Jose (Maria Olazabal) or anybody who’s done it before and won.”
“Its about doing what’s best for him and how he sees it and being true to himself,” he said.
