Clarke clicks back into top gear

DARREN CLARKE is quietly hopeful yesterday’s victory in the JP McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort may reignite his season and eventually lead to a much coveted return to Ryder Cup action.

Clarke shot a best of the day 68 to finish three-under for the tournament and picked up a cheque for €100,000, three times more than he has earned in any event over the past six months. It has been quite a struggle for the 41 year-old from Dungannon, currently 172nd in the world rankings, having been up to fourth when he won his second World Championship, the NEC, in Akron, Ohio, in 2003. He is 64th in the European Tour Race to Dubai.

“Tournament leader … yeah, it has a nice ring to it,” he admitted having completed his second round at lunchtime. “It’s been a while. I’ve shot four under on a pretty tough day. You’ve been asking all the time, what’s going wrong and I say, well, I’m working hard and doing all the right things and nothing is quite happening.