US PGA invitation boosts Darren Clarke’s Ryder Cup qualification hopes

• Clarke ‘delighted’ with invite to Whistling Straits
• ‘I will play if I qualify, I think Monty will want me to’

Darren Clarke’s hopes of playing his way back into the Ryder Cup team, thus forcing the captain Colin Montgomerie into finding another assistant, have received a huge boost as he has been invited to take part in the US PGA Championship for the second year running.

Clarke is currently 21st on the points table but with a chance of moving into the all-important top nine at this week’s Irish Open in Killarney. The US PGA takes place in two weeks’ time at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin – a course which brings back mixed memories for the Irishman. When the event was last staged there in 2004 he shot 65 to lead on the first day, was joint third with a round to go, but then closed with a 76 and dropped to 13th.

Clarke reacted to his invitation by saying: “It’s fantastic news – I’m absolutely delighted and feel very privileged and fortunate.”

The 41-year-old was unveiled last week as one of the Cup vice-captains alongside Thomas Bjorn and Paul McGinley. “Yes, I will play if I qualify,” Clarke added. “I think Monty will want me to if I do. I think Thomas and Paul will, too. There’s no question about that. If I do play well in the events I have left, I possibly could give him a bigger headache. We shall see.

“We spoke at length about it and Monty said that he wants me there one way or the other. Right now, as it stands, I’m outside the team and I’m delighted to be part of his backroom staff.”

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