You are in > manchester.com  > News > Clarke not comfortable with sympathy vote

Golf

Clarke not comfortable with sympathy vote

27/11/2006

Darren Clarke has said he does not want to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year out of sympathy.

Clarke starred in Europe's Ryder Cup victory in September, despite losing his wife Heather to cancer just weeks earlier.

The Ulsterman in now one of the favourites to win the annual award, but is worried that he might get it for the wrong reasons.

"If people are voting for me because my wife passed away and they feel sorry for me, I don't feel comfortable with that," he told the BBC's Radio Five Live.

"If I'd won a major this year, then I'd have no issues with it whatsoever."

Clarke has won accolades from fans and his fellow players after helping Europe to an emotional Ryder Cup triumph.

Tiger Woods, the world number one and a close friend of Clarke, said at the time he had been "inspiration itself" after winning all three of his matches at the K Club.

Also among the favourites for sports personality of the year are cricketer Monty Panesar, boxers Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe, 19-year-old tennis ace Andy Murray and Formula One driver Jenson Button.

According to the Sun newspaper, the award will not be going to a footballer this year.

The paper said this morning that no footballers had made the shortlist of ten, which will be officially revealed by the BBC on Monday December 4th.

© Adfero Ltd