Clarke qualifies for Tour Championship

Darren Clarke has qualified for this week’s Tour Championship in America and will therefore head for Houston rather than El Saler in Spain.

The Ulsterman will join the top 30 on the US Tour for their season-ending event offering a top prize of over a million dollars rather than playing in the Seve Trophy match, Great Britain and Ireland versus Continental Europe.

His place on Colin Montgomerie’s side goes to David Howell, who missed the last match two years ago after breaking his arm in a fall while jogging.

South African Retief Goosen won the Chrysler Championship in Florida to seal his place in Houston as well. Goosen, who pulled out of the Volvo Masters to play, finished three ahead of Vijay Singh.

The Fijian’s one-two finish the last two weeks means he leads Tiger Woods by over $750,000 (€647,000) at the top of the money list. Woods has to win the Tour Championship now to regain the number one spot, but will still be denied if Singh is second or third.