Clarke halts season

Darren Clarke will not play again this year after curtailing his season to spend time with his wife Heather, who is undergoing hospital tests after falling ill.

The world number 12 returned from his first tournament win of the year at the Taiheiyo Masters in Japan nine days ago to discover his wife could be seriously ill.

He immediately pulled out of this week’s Nelson Mandela Invitational in South Africa and the following week’s Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City and is not expected to play again until at least next year.

“Much as I am disappointed in having to withdraw from my obligations, I hope that everybody understands that it is vital I am with my wife and family at this time,” said the 36-year-old father of two.

“Heather has been having problems and we are determined to get to the bottom of them as quickly as possible.

“It is a difficult time for all of us and I would ask that our privacy is respected.”