Tuesday, September 26 2006 12:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Ian Woosnam has told Europe's Ryder Cup heroes to build on their second thrashing of America's finest in two years by ending the old continent's seven-year drought in golf's major tournaments.

Woosnam, who captained the side to their humiliation of the Americans, believes the youthful nature of the European team that hammered Tom Lehman's Americans at the K Club outside Dublin at the weekend means they will continue to dominate the transatlantic match for years to come.

But he believes players like Darren Clarke and Paul Casey also have it in them to build on their performances in Ireland and go on to claim the biggest individual prizes in the sport, something no European has achieved since Paul Lawrie's surprise triumph in the 1999 British Open at Carnoustie.

"We have a young bunch of guys who played so well," Woosnam says. "A lot of these guys will be in the team for a long, long time to come." "European golf is looking very strong at the moment. Hopefully they'll turn this team success into success at the majors." "They just have to believe in themselves and win loads and loads of majors."

One prize Clarke looks certain to claim is the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award at the end of this year.

The Northern Irishman won all three matches he was involved in at the K Club and his team-mates dedicated their victory to him and his late wife Heather, who lost a long battle with cancer only last month.

His courageous display has prompted bookmakers to make Clarke a short odds favourite to pick up the award ahead of royal horsewoman and world three day event champion Zara Phillips, Scots tennis ace Andy Murray and England cricketer Monty Panesar.