Clarke seeks Ryder touch

Darren Clarke is one of those golfers who react positively when responsibility is thrust upon them, judging by the eagerness he has shown in working overtime in preparation for the Lancome Trophy which begins in Paris today.

Clarke yesterday joined six other members of the European Ryder Cup team in participating in the pro-am at St Nom la Breteche, where world number one Greg Norman and American Mark O'Meara will also compete for a first prize of £116,660 sterling.

Clarke spent more than 90 minutes on the practice ground before returning to the course for another survey of the terrain with fellow Ryder Cup newcomer Lee Westwood.

Clarke and Westwood are likely to be paired with Colin Montgomerie and Nick Faldo respectively in the European Ryder Cup team, where their performances may prove crucial. "We won't be found wanting for lack of preparation," says Clarke.

Clarke also plans maximum effort in the race for the European number one spot, in which he trails Montgomerie by a mere £2,433. Only five European Tour tournaments remain, and Clarke has entered all of them. There will be no World Cup, however, for Clarke this year. He has already pulled out, and will play the Dunlop Phoenix Open. Ireland's representatives at Kiawah Island will be Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley.

Today, Clarke plays with Ryder Cup skipper Ballesteros, and wild card Jesper Parnevik in the opening round. Parnevik is currently 11th on the US Tour, and 17th in the world rankings. Last year he showed a clean pair of heels to the best in Europe at this tournament, winning by five strokes. His reaction to the Ryder Cup selection controversy is to say he would have waited "until the last minute" if necessary for the call-up.

"I would have been happy to have been on standby for Miguel Martin if he had been given longer to get fit," he added.

Ronan Rafferty, who has been 14th, 12th and sixth in his last three events, former French Open winner Philip Walton, Raymond Burns and David Higgins are also in the line up today, as are "veterans" Christy O'Connor Jnr, Eamonn Darcy and Des Smyth.