Darren Clarke will get the chance to hone his leadership skills for the 2016 Ryder Cup after being named as European captain for January’s EurAsia Cup in Malaysia.

The 47-year-old Northern Irishman has already been handed the responsibility for next September’s showdown with the USA at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

The pressure is on Clarke as Europe look to extend their winning run to four Ryder Cups in a row which would also be their seventh in eight editions of the tournament.

But first the 2011 Open champion will pit his skills against Jeev Milkha Singh who has been named as Asia’s captain for the clash at Kuala Lumpur’s Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in January next year.

Clarke said: “It’s going to be a great week – the guys are really looking forward to it.

“Both teams that are assembled will be desperate to win the EurAsia Cup for the first time – when we get to Kuala Lumpur Jeev will be trying to kick my butt and I will be trying to kick his.

“We have known each other for a very, very long time. We have played together on tour for most of our careers.”

Singh also feels the upcoming EurAsia Cup will be a light-hearted few days after the inaugural tournament ended in a 10-10 tie in 2014.

“It’s an honour to be offered the EurAsia Cup captaincy and I am very excited by the prospect of leading what I hope will be a very strong Asian team. It is a special event,” added the Indian.

“I’m looking forward to going up against Darren – I’m going to have a lot of fun with him.”

The 41st Ryder Cup starts in Chaska, Minnesota in just over a year’s time.