Clarke to put Wales first

Valhalla the priority for Ulsterman

Last updated: 13th May 2008

Clarke to put Wales first

Clarke: winner in Shanghai

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Ryder Cup star Darren Clarke will play in the Celtic Manor Wales Open later this month rather than try to qualify for the US Open.

The Welsh event ends on June 1 and the two-day Walton Heath qualifying starts on the following day.

The Northern Irishman still has hopes of playing his way into Europe's team for Valhalla after his Asian Open win in Shanghai three weeks ago.

"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," he said.

"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."

Exemption

Clarke has been out of the top 25 just once in his last six starts, a run he hopes to extend in this week's Irish Open.

Currently 16th on the Order of Merit, it is still possible he could gain an exemption to the US Open.

The top two on the money list after next week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth earn places at Torrey Pines.