Clarke boosted by wife's health
Ireland's Darren Clarke returns to action next week heartened by the latest medical bulletin on his wife Heather, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer.
The world number 13 plays in the Pebble Beach Pro-am in California – with manager Andrew “Chubby” Chandler as his partner.
“Heather had her fourth bout of chemotherapy on Tuesday,” said Clarke today at the launch of the Daily Telegraph Dunlop British Masters at the Forest of Arden near Coventry.
“We met with the oncologist beforehand and he told us that the results have been dramatic and everything is working in the right direction. It’s taken a lot out of her, but she is coping unbelievably well and keen for me to get playing again. My schedule will depend on how she progresses.”
Clarke’s one appearance since his wife’s illness was diagnosed in November resulted in a fourth-place finish in the South African Airways Open last month.
He will be in America for three weeks, also playing the Nissan Open in Los Angeles and then the Accenture World Match Play Championship in San Diego. That is the event in which he beat Tiger Woods in the 2000 final.
The British Masters, held between May 12 and 15, will have prize money of £1.7m (€2.5m), with £283,333 (€410,893) going to the victor.
England’s Greg Owen and Barry Lane have been the last two winners, but Clarke is bound to start as one of the favourites, having captured two English Open titles on the Midlands course.
Dunlop are returning to golf sponsorship after a gap of 23 years. The Dunlop Masters was a fixture in Europe from 1946 to 1982, the last winner being Greg Norman.
They take over from Damovo as joint sponsors of the event, with prize money increasing by £100,000 (€145,000).
