THE PGA CENTENARY Course at Gleneagles, host of next year’s Ryder Cup, drew the ire of current Open champion Darren Clarke back in 2007, when it made its debut on the European Tour rota.
Speaking candidly at the time, Clarke described Gleneagles’ selection as “unbelievable,” “beyond comprehension” and “a shame”.
But asked this week how he’d feel about actually taking part in the matches, Clarke sounded more, if not entirely, positive.
“Very good question. If I had to go back, I definitely would. The Ryder Cup is much more important than my personal opinion.”
Clarke’s presence at the event is far from guaranteed, particularly given his recent inconsistency, a trend the Northerner blames on his struggle to establish new goals.
“If you ask anybody, once they achieve their lifetime goal, how they keep going and going and going– I have no idea. I couldn’t quite figure out what my goals were going to be, especially at this stage in my career. It’s not as if I’m 21 or 22. I’m 43 now. Whether I get another chance or couple of chances to win Majors… it may not happen.”
Clarke is part of a sizeable Irish contingent taking part in this week’s lucrative Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
