Clarke has designs on spectacular return

LONG, difficult golf courses never bothered Darren Clarke. But a three week lay-off from competitive action is another thing — and that’s why he feels “a little rusty” for this US PGA Championship at Baltusrol.

A budding course architect, Clarke has been fascinated by the 7,392 yards, par 70 Baltusrol layout since he arrived in New Jersey on Saturday. Thirty six holes later, he seems to have little problem with a par five measuring 650 yards. At the same time, he assures us that he won’t afflict such pain on those playing the

courses that will bear his name at a number of venues throughout the world, including Pinnacle Point in South Africa and nearer home at Castle Dargan in Sligo and Moy Valley, Co Kildare.