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Clarke feeling the pressure

05/07/2006

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke has admitted he is feeling the pressure ahead of this week's European Open at Dublin's K Club.

This is potentially Clarke's first of two visits to the course this year as it will host the Ryder Cup in September.

However, he admits that his form hasn't been good in recent weeks and he is worried that he won't be returning to face the United States.

"I want to be part of the team, but I have no idea how I'm going to play from week to week," Clarke said.

"I'm not as sharp as I should be, and I need to play well in the next three weeks."

The 37-year-old currently finds himself 28th in the Ryder Cup standings and he needs to get into the top ten if he is to be guaranteed a place in the team.

While Clarke is worried about his Ryder Cup place though, he admits his thoughts are dominated by his wife Heather and her battle against cancer.

He has often put golf second to make sure he can be with her during her fight and he missed last week's French Open to be at her side.

Clarke believed that his lack of golf hasn't helped his chances of making the Ryder Cup team but he is hopeful that he will enjoy a good run of form, starting tomorrow.

"I haven't had that many opportunities to play golf and it's been tough," Clarke added.

"I've been working on things since the Irish Open, and it certainly feels okay, but it's just a question of doing it on the course."

Clarke will be joined at the K Club by fellow Ryder Cup hopefuls Ian Poulter of England and Ireland's Padraig Harrington.

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