Confident Clarke feels like a million dollars

DARREN CLARKE, as he has for most of the year, has the feeling he could be about to play really well.

With a million dollars on offer to the winner of the NEC world championship starting in Seattle tomorrow, now would obviously be a good time to do it.

The other great time, of course, would be the Ryder Cup little more than a month away.

Clarke was one of eight members of Sam Torrance's side for The Belfry to miss the halfway cut in last week's US PGA championship.

Bogeys at the last two holes did for the man from the North and he says: ''It was hugely disappointing.

''I don't feel I am that far away from producing my best, but it's been like that all year and I haven't figured out why the results haven't come.''

The other feeling Clarke has apart from his elusive form is pain. It is in the big toe of his left foot and comes from dropping his suitcase on it.

''I was just picking it up on Sunday to go from Minneapolis to New York for a company day. It's horrible and very painful.

''I'm hobbling about and I've got to be careful now that it does not get infected.''

But back to the Ryder Cup and the way Europe's team is shaping up for the attempt to win back the trophy. At least Clarke has a title to his name this season the English Open at the Forest of Arden in June.

Of the other 11 only Sergio Garcia has tasted victory.

Time is clearly running out for them to find form before they arrive at The Belfry. But even if they don't Clarke believes that there should be no panicking.

''It's not great going into a Ryder Cup not playing well, but a lot of people have done that in previous matches and played great,'' he says.

''I am sure the adrenaline of the Ryder Cup will lift people's games.''

Likely partner Lee Westwood is one of the biggest worries, of course, after a second round 83 last week that was his worst score of a miserable season.

European number one two years ago and fourth in the world in May last year, Westwood is now down to 144th in the rankings.

''I played with Lee in practice last week and he played nicely,'' said stablemate Clarke. ''But it didn't quite happen in the tournament.

''It was disappointing yet again for him, but he's won a lot of tournaments, he's been in the Ryder Cup twice before and I am sure the experiences will stand him in good stead.

''Matchplay is a completely different format. That's an obvious statement, but you can get away with making a few mistakes. In strokeplay everything's highlighted.''

In Boston three years ago Clarke and Westwood beat Tiger Woods and David Duval, the top two in the world at the time, in the opening day fourballs.

''Confidence is huge for everyone in this game. If you are on a good run your confidence gets better and better. If you are on a bad run it's a very elusive thing to find, but a couple of good scores would boost anyone's confidence,'' said Clarke.

''It's about tentativeness on the course. You don't quite commit to all your shots. You don't give enough thought to getting the ball in the hole.

''You are thinking about not making mistakes. You look up and see trouble.

''We're no different to amateur golfers when we have little confidence. But when we have plenty of it there is no danger, no water, just the flag.''