Slimline Clarke embraces his belly to rejoin top table at European Open

DESPERATE situations demand desperate remedies — so Darren Clarke has decided to swallow his pride and turn to the belly putter for this week’s €3.3m Smurfit European Open starting over the new South (or Smurfit) Course at The K-Club on Thursday.

Despite his penchant for flashy clothes, big cigars and only the best of red wines, Clarke is something of a golfing traditionalist and has often expressed his distaste for some of the gimmicks which have a tendency to creep into golf.

However, he is so frustrated at recent failures to turn an otherwise sound game into low scores that he seems prepared to go to any lengths to improve matters. And little wonder considering he missed the cut in his two most recent outings in the US and most notably in the Open at Shinnecock Hills.