Darren Clarke has received a plum draw in the opening two rounds of the United States PGA championship - the final major of the golfing year - at Winged Foot, New York, on Thursday and Friday. Clarke tees off on the first day at 7.25 a.m. local time (12.25 p.m. Irish) with Nick Faldo and Phil Mickelson.

Fellow Irishman Padraig Harrington is in less exalted company, teeing off at 2.10 p.m. (7.10 Irish) with America's Robert Gamez and Paraguay's Carlos Franco.

As is now customary, the winners of the three majors this season are grouped together. Masters champion Tiger Woods, US Open winner Ernie Els and Open champion Justin Leonard tee off at 8.55 a.m. (1.55 Irish).