You are in > manchester.com  > News > Woods hails "remarkable" Clarke

Golf

Woods hails "remarkable" Clarke

26/09/2006

Tiger Woods has described Darren Clarke's inspired performance during the recently-concluded Ryder Cup as a "truly remarkable" spectacle.

The world's number one golfer was the American team's top performer at the K Club but his efforts were overshadowed by Clarke who was one of three Europeans to win all their matches as Ian Woosnam's team stormed to a third successive Ryder Cup success.

Clarke had lost his wife Heather to cancer just six weeks prior to the event and played minimal golf in the lead-up but Woods insists his wildcard place in the European team was fully justified by his stunning form alone.

"Darren was remarkable. For him to come and play was one thing, but to play as well as he did after everything that happened and the time he had taken off was truly remarkable and great to see," said Woods.

Woods, whose father Earl also died recently, added: "We're big friends and I'm very proud to see him play as well as he did. To see him go out there and play like that was special.

"Hats off to the quality of player that he is. That's what I kept telling him - 'You're a hell of a player' - and unfortunately for us, he went out there and proved it."

© Adfero Ltd