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Miguel Angel Jimenez targets playing spot in Darren Clarke's Ryder Cup team

Miguel Angel Jimenez was his usual entertaining self during the opening round of the Indian Open Getty Images

Miguel Angel Jimenez has targeted a place in Darren Clarke's Ryder Cup team after the disappointment of missing out on being Europe's captain at Hazeltine next year.

Clarke was announced as Paul McGinley's successor on Wednesday and it is widely believed the five-man selection panel was choosing between the Northern Irishman and Jimenez, with Thomas Bjorn also mooted.

Jimenez was in typically good spirits during the first-round of the Indian Open, entertaining the galleries at Delhi Golf Club en route to a one-under-par 71 which leaves him five off the pace after the opening round.

Following his round, he was asked about missing out on the captaincy that he had previously said he was "deeply passionate" about.

"Disappointed? A little bit," the 51-year-old told Sky Sports. "This is my 27th season on Tour and I've played seven Ryder Cups and been vice-captain. But of course I accept [the decision].

"I've done a lot for the Tour through all these years and it's a little disappointing not being captain, but I feel happy on the other hand for Darren, because he will [do] a very good job.

"I will be behind you Darren, don't worry. All the decisions you're going to make for the Ryder Cup will be good and I'll be behind you."

Turning his attention to becoming the oldest player in Ryder Cup history at Hazeltine, world No.45 Jimenez, who said he would accept if Clarke offered him an assistant role, added: "If I'm still playing well, if I'm hitting the ball as far as I'm hitting it [now] then of course I will have a chance.

"Anyway or how to be part of a Ryder Cup is always nice. Obviously to play it is better but next year I'll be 52, but you never know. The way that I'm playing, maybe I'll be there with my clubs too!"

Home favourite SSP Chowrasia heads a five-strong group atop the leaderboard at six-under, alongside defending champion Siddikur Rahman, Thailand's Chapchai Nirat, Swede Joakim Lagergren and Canadian Richard Lee.

Matt Fitzpatrick is the highest-placed Briton at two-under, alongside Ireland's Peter Lawrie, who recently admitted to having an addiction to fizzy drinks.

Following his round, he was asked about missing out on the captaincy that he had previously said he was "deeply passionate" about.

"Disappointed? A little bit," the 51-year-old told Sky Sports. "This is my 27th season on Tour and I've played seven Ryder Cups and been vice-captain. But of course I accept [the decision].

"I've done a lot for the Tour through all these years and it's a little disappointing not being captain, but I feel happy on the other hand for Darren, because he will [do] a very good job.

"I will be behind you Darren, don't worry. All the decisions you're going to make for the Ryder Cup will be good and I'll be behind you."

Turning his attention to becoming the oldest player in Ryder Cup history at Hazeltine, world No.45 Jimenez, who said he would accept if Clarke offered him an assistant role, added: "If I'm still playing well, if I'm hitting the ball as far as I'm hitting it [now] then of course I will have a chance.

"Anyway or how to be part of a Ryder Cup is always nice. Obviously to play it is better but next year I'll be 52, but you never know. The way that I'm playing, maybe I'll be there with my clubs too!"

Home favourite SSP Chowrasia heads a five-strong group atop the leaderboard at six-under, alongside defending champion Siddikur Rahman, Thailand's Chapchai Nirat, Swede Joakim Lagergren and Canadian Richard Lee.

Matt Fitzpatrick is the highest-placed Briton at two-under, alongside Ireland's Peter Lawrie, who recently admitted to having an addiction to fizzy drinks.

Indian Open leaderboard