Clarke ready to play

Darren Clarke came through the first test of Ryder Cup week with flying colours on Monday and made it perfectly plain that his main mission at the K Club is no different to anybody else's.

Just before what was bound to be an emotional reunion with Tiger Woods - one of the people who encouraged him to play in a match being staged less than six weeks after his wife lost her long battle with cancer - Clarke aired his thoughts on the days that lie ahead.

The Ulsterman, who returned to action with a 31st-place finish in Madrid on Sunday, said: "In the end we're all professionals. We all want to win for our teams. As friendly as we are I'm sure we're going to try to beat each other. I wouldn't be here unless I felt I could do it."

He added: "I've worked hard at home. I didn't quite shoot the scores I wanted to last week, but it was good to get back into a competitive arena.

"There are bound to be a few difficult moments. But I think when it comes to the first tee it won't be any more difficult than it normally is. And that's because it's back to the golfing side of things and that's what I do.

"I won't be any more nervous than I have been in my previous Ryder Cups. The emotional side of things will be a factor, but hopefully I'm playing the way I want to play and help the team.

"I did think long and hard about whether I should be here. I have my moments, but I'm very comfortable with what I'm doing. I came to the conclusion that I would benefit the team. That's why I'm here. I want to compete."

The nature of the Ryder Cup, however, is that Clarke's resolve will be tested to an extraordinary level. The official programme for this week's match, for instance, includes a tribute to Clarke's wife Heather called "A Lady of Courage."

It makes reference to the fact that "she was so unbelievably positive that while she was lying in a hospital bed clinging on to life one of her main concerns was that all her outfits for this year's match would be ready in time. "She never got to wear them."

The Ryder Cup is the only event where the wives and girlfriends are in on the action inside the spectator ropes. But, again as the article states, Heather Clarke "encouraged and applauded her man from an appropriate distance without ever feeling the need to shout or scream her support".