Clarke pulls out of Tour events

His wife’s continuing battle with cancer has led to Darren Clarke pulling out of the next two US Tour events – the American Express world championship in San Francisco starting on Thursday and the Las Vegas Invitational.

Clarke’s appearance at this week’s Dunhill links championship in Scotland is his first for over a month and although he stands four under par with a round to play he said today: “My mind’s not on the job for obvious reasons.”

The Ulsterman was also out for a month when his wife Heather was taken into hospital during the BMW Championship in May after suffering heart problems as a reaction to the drugs she was taking following chemotherapy.

Clarke might now decide to play in the Madrid Open on October 13-16 instead so he can return home quickly if necessary.

Manager Andrew Chandler has already spoken to US Tour commissioner Tim Finchem about the fact that the Ryder Cup star will not now complete the minimum 15 events required for membership there.

He has played 12 so far and was originally hoping that on top of the next two weeks he would qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship to complete his quota.

“We’ll be asking for a medical extension to his membership now,” stated Chandler.

This week’s event is only Clarke’s 12th European tour event of the season.