Clarke begins European Open defence

Ireland’s Darren Clarke will begin the defence of his European Open title when the competition gets underway at the K-Club in Co Kildare later today.

Clarke will be joined on the course by nine of his Ryder Cup team-mates, including Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley, as well as Thomas Bjorn, Niclas Fasth, Pierre Fulke, Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie, Philip Price and Lee Westwood.

Veteran Greg Norman will also be among the leading names in the competition.