Organisers defend decision to overlook Clarke

THE organisers of the Cisco World Match Play Championship have defended their decision to snub Ryder Cup star Darren Clarke for this year’s tournament.

The Dungannon man, who helped steer Europe to victory at the Belfry last month, was overlooked for the 12-man event at Wentworth, which starts tomorrow.

As a result, he accused event organisers and global sports agents IMG of overlooking his matchplay record, producing a lacklustre field of players and filling the entry list with IMG clients.

But Peter German, the tournament organiser and an IMG member of staff, said Clarke’s accusations were unfounded.

“We try to get a balanced field and that means different players every year. Darren played last year and has played in previous years but there is no guarantee that he can play every time.”

Clarke is under the management of Chubby Chandler’s ISM group, rivals to IMG, and believes the organisers relied too heavily on their own players.

German, however, insisted he had carefully considered the list of invitations. He said: “Of the field of 12, three players are not IMG clients - Ernie Els, Fred Funk and Michael Campbell.

“As to Darren’s comments that this is not worthy of being a world championship, I’m sure he didn’t feel that way when he was playing in it. Such a comment is totally unjustified.” Clarke is 22nd in the world rankings and, at the heart of his gripe, is the fact the IMG have invited a series of lower-ranked players to compete.

Those below him in the world standings are Fred Funk (world number 32), Mike Weir (34), Justin Rose (40) and Nick Faldo (60).

But German insisted that had been a conscious decision. He continued: “We always have a young player - previously that has been Sergio Garcia, Seve Ballesteros and Bill Rogers, and they’ve all since enjoyed massive success.

“This year Justin Rose fills that category, and his place is totally justified. His performances this season merit his inclusion for one. Nick Faldo is here because he is one of the most successful British golfers in living memory. He has a fantastic record in the tournament and is always a very popular golfer across the course.”