Clarke hoping to rediscover form

Darren Clarke has asked world number two Vijay Singh for help as he tries to rediscover form.

After missing the halfway cut by six shots in the USPGA Championship last week Clarke has been struggling again in practice for the NEC World Championship in Akron – the tournament he won two years ago.

He said of his swing: “I feel like an octopus, but I’ve just looked at the video and it actually doesn’t look as bad as it feels.

“Vijay and I were chatting and he said a couple of things. He’s always been more than willing to give me a helping hand whenever I’ve needed it. He’s done it several times.”

Stablemate Lee Westwood also offered advice when they played the Firestone course together.

“There’s no point getting annoyed with things even if it is a struggle,” he said. “Everybody goes through good times and bad times on the golf course. It’s just a bit difficult for me right now.”

Padraig Harrington was another to crash out early last week in what was only his second tournament since the death of his father last month.

“The good thing about this week is that there are four rounds no matter what (no cut). The more rounds I get under my belt the better I’m going to get.”

Although he has won twice in America this year Harrington is only 55th on the European Order of Merit.