Europe
Profile: Darren Clarke
| Born | Dungannon, Northern ireland |
|---|---|
| age | 38 |
| height | 6ft 2in |
| Turned Pro | 1990 |
| World ranking | 24 |
| Appearances | (4) 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004 |
| Won | Lost | Halved | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singles | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Foursomes | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Fourball | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 7 | 7 | 3 |
| Win Rate | 50% |
Darren Clarke could hardly have endured a more difficult year and to see him line-out alongside his European team mates at the K Club will surely be an emotional time.
After his wife Heather lost her brave battle with cancer in August, Clarke’s particiaption in the Ryder Cup was placed in doubt. In fact the big Ulsterman hadn’t touched a club since missing the cut at Open in Hoylake (July) in order to be with his wife and kids at the most difficult of times.
However, in the lead up to the final counting event (BMW Championship) for the European Ryder Cup race Clarke declared himself available. Given that he had missed so many events and was too far off the pace for an automatic place he had to rely on a wild card pick from Woosie.
The captain’s only stipulation was that Clarke had to play in the Madrid Masters - the week beofre the Ryder Cup - to ensure he at least experienced competitive tournament golf before the K Club and after such a long lay off.
Although Clarke has yet to win a singles match, he has won two and halved two, his contribution to the fourballs has been immense, just as his presence around the team has been on the last four occasions.
There is no doubt Clarke will have a tough, emotional battle at the K Club> It remains to be seen whether, under those circumstances, he can produce his best golf.
-Paul Gallagher