Clarke urges friends to play on

Darren Clarke, whose wife Heather died yesterday, has urged many of his friends not to pull out of this week's US PGA championship.

On hearing the news that Heather had lost her long battle against cancer, close friend Paul McGinley immediately withdrew from the fourth and final major of the year.

Fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell, Ireland's Padraig Harrington and close friend Thomas Bjorn were among those believed to be wrestling with whether they could face playing at Medinah near Chicago, with Heather's funeral likely to be held this week in Portrush.

However, the Irish Independent report Clarke saying: "Heather would have wanted them to play."

Those sentiments were echoed by Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam yesterday who, on hearing of the decision of McGinley which could ultimately cost him his place in the team, said: "Would Heather want Paul to do that? I can understand what he is doing. That's up to Paul, he is very close to the family."

However, contrary to some reports Lee Westwood has not withdrawn and is currently travelling to the event with the intention of playing.

The Worksop golfer will have Open runner-up Chris DiMarco and 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell for company when he tees off on Thursday.

As is now traditional for the PGA, the year's three major winners — Phil Mickelson (Masters), Geoff Ogilvy (US Open) and Tiger Woods (Open) — have been grouped together in the pick of the draw.