Clarke can't afford any more slip-ups

Darren Clarke thought it was all over. But it’s not yet.

The Ulsterman could still pip Ernie Els to the European Order of Merit title - with victories in both the Madrid Open and then the Volvo Masters.

After finishing the American Express world championship in Atlanta yesterday Clarke said: “Obviously it’s over now, which is disappointing.”

But Els was still on the course at that moment and by coming 12th the world No 2 is not quite home and dry. Almost, but not quite.

If Ignacio Garrido had missed a five-foot par putt on the final green, Els would have risen to 11th spot and that would have done it. But the Spaniard made it to give Clarke a lifeline.

Clarke plays in Las Vegas this week as he tries to secure a place in the US Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship, then will have a week off before his do-or-die effort begins at Club de Campo in Madrid.

He has still to win the Order of Merit in his career. He was second in 1998 to Colin Montgomerie and to Lee Westwood in 2000, third two years ago and fourth in 1997.

“I’m trying to improve as a player and maybe one of these days I will win it,” he added.

A million-dollar victory in the NEC world championship in Akron in August brought Clarke back into the picture and he was lying second with a round to go in the dunhill links championship at St Andrews last week.

But while he fell to fourth, Els climbed to second and widened the gap. It has grown further now, but if Clarke can win the last two events he will pip just pip Els.