Unless someone nicks the plane that's scheduled to whisk Paul McGinley from Pebble Beach to London, there should be white smoke emanating from next Wednesday's 2016 European Ryder Cup captaincy pow-wow. 

"The Panel" — McGinley, José María Olazábal, Colin Montgomerie, Tournament Players Committee nominee David Howell and Chief Executive George O'Grady — will meet at Wentworth on Wednesday, February 18, at 10am.

Darren Clarke and Miguel Jiménez are believed to be the front runners for the job with the Dungannon native the bookies' favourite.

If "The Panel" reaches a decision on which of the potential candidates is the best man to lead the team at Hazeltine, the European Tour will make an official announcement later that afternoon.

Getting the right man is crucial, of course, and it would appear logical that that the European Tour would like the decision to be unanimous with the three immediate past captains agreeing on the man to take over.

If you fancy a bet, here are the odds. Just remember, Rory McIlroy says he wants Darren to do the job in Minnesota.