Surprise Ryder Cup assistant call-up for Clarke

Darren Clarke was today unveiled as the 'third man' to help Europe try to win back the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales on October 1-3.

Captain Colin Montgomerie will have three assistants and while Ireland's Paul McGinley and Dane Thomas Bjorn were expected Clarke is a surprise announcement - not least because he was second in the Scottish Open two weeks ago and might yet force himself onto the team.