Golf: Clarke may face Lawrie
Darren Clarke could face Paul Lawrie in the opening round of the Accenture world matchplay championship in California next week.
Clarke, who picked up the million-dollar first prize two years ago by beating Tiger Woods in the final on the same La Costa course, is the 12th seed this year.
But Lawrie will be his first opponent only if Colin Montgomerie or Argentina’s Jose Coceres do not pull out of the £3.5m (€5.6m) event.
Montgomerie is doubtful because of the back injury which forced him to withdraw from the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth three weeks ago, while Coceres is recovering from breaking his arm skiing.
Already out of the championship in Dane Thomas Bjorn, which brings in 65th-ranked John Cook to play Woods on Wednesday week providing there are no more scratchings.
Welshman Phil Price is set for a duel with US Open champion Retief Goosen, while Dubliners Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley may open against American Matt Gogel and Argentinian Angel Cabrera respectively.
Lee Westwood’s scheduled first match is against American Ryder Cup player Stewart Cink and then it could be Open champion David Duval in the next round.
If Montgomerie and Coceres do play, the Scot would take on another American in Steve Lowery. The official draw takes place next Monday, after which any players pulling out are not replaced.
