Clarke favours Ryder Cup place
by Michelle Fortune, 14 May 2008
Darren Clarke will sacrifice his chances of qualifying for the US Open in order to concentrate on making the European Ryder Cup team.
Clarke has continually expressed his desire to be part of Nick Faldo's team for the Ryder Cup in September and his recent BMW Asian Open triumph - his first victory in five years - has boosted his chances of qualifying.
With Valhalla in mind, Clarke has added to the Wales Open to his schedule and as a result will not play in the 36-hole US Open qualifier at Walton Heath, which takes place the day after the finish at Celtic Manor.
"My win in China really put my career back on track and I want to do everything I possibly can to be part of Nick Faldo's side," Clarke explained.
"This was a very tough choice because the US Open would definitely have been on my schedule had I automatically qualified.
"Taking everything into consideration I decided that this year I would stay closer to home and concentrate on my European schedule.
"If everything works out to plan then I can possibly play my way into The Open and US PGA."