Clarke vows not to be left in Portrush limbo

Portrush will live up to its famous road sign in four weeks’ time when it becomes the “Major Golf Capital of the World” for the first Ulster staging of the Irish Open for 59 years.

And injured Darren Clarke insists he’ll play “on a Zimmer frame” so he can do his bit and help boost the chances of bringing the British Open back to Royal Portrush for the first time since 1951.

The British Open champion, 43, this week pulled out of the Scandinavian Masters and the US Open because of a chronic groin strain. But he’s vowed to do everything in his power to make the first tee for the Jun 28 start of what organisers say will be the best attended event on the European Tour this year after the British Open itself.