Ryder boost for Clarke

Darren Clarke’s third place finish in the Mercedes Championship in Hawaii, opening event of the US Tour season, has taken him top of the European Ryder Cup table – but down in the world rankings.

The victory by Australian Stuart Appleby lifts him from 14th to 11th in the world, just behind leading European Padraig Harrington, and drops Clarke from 11th to 12th.

However, the 23.2 ranking points earned by the Ulsterman takes him ahead of Lee Westwood in the Ryder Cup world points list under the new system of qualification.

World ranking points earned anywhere in the world, not just in European tour events, now count towards selection, with five players earning spots in Bernhard Langer’s team from that and five from the usual Order of Merit table.

Langer then completes the side for Oakland Hills in September with two wild card picks.