UPDATE 1-Golf-Clarke pulls out of Ryder Cup captaincy race (Reuters)

(Adds McIlroy quotes) * Clarke exit leaves way clear for Montgomerie and McGinley * This was no spur-of-moment decision, says Northern Irishman ABU DHABI, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Former British Open golf champion Darren Clarke has pulled out of the race to succeed Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal as Europe's Ryder Cup captain. "I have been to see (Players Committee chairman) Thomas Bjorn and formally informed him I do not want to be considered for the Ryder Cup captaincy in 2014," the Northern Irishman told reporters on Tuesday. "It was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. ...