Europe Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke has stated that the result of the EU referendum will make "no difference" to his team. The golf competition between Europe and the USA is due to start in September in Minnesota.

However, Northern Irishman Clarke did admit that the result came as a surprise to him. He said, "Like everybody I think I was surprised. I thought it would be a thinnish majority for the UK to stay in the European Union. As it transpired we all know that that didn't happen."

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The UK voted to leave the EU on 23 June, with a Brexit being backed by 52% of the public. However, Clarke insists that this decision to leave the European Union will not affect the team he chooses to play at the Hazeltine National course.

"In terms of the European Tour and the European Ryder Cup team, we're still one continent. It makes no difference to us whatsoever. The UK is always going to be part of the European continent. We're going there as Europe. We will still use the European flag because that is our continental flag and that's what we're going to do."

Europe won the last Ryder Cup, defeating the USA 16 and a half to 11 and a half in 2014 in Scotland. The competition takes place from 30 September to 2 October.

Brexit European Union Ryder Cup