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Clarke eyes wild card spot

Ulsterman seeking sixth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance

Last updated: 26th August 2008

Clarke: Needs strong finish

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Darren Clarke has not given up on being one of Nick Faldo's wild card picks for the Ryder Cup as he prepares for this week's KLM Dutch Open.

The Ulsterman has taken part in the last five events, receiving a wild card two years ago from captain Ian Woosnam before winning all three of his matches, and wants to make it six in a row.

Clarke is 25th in the standings with just two tournaments remaining and will almost certainly require a wild card from Faldo to make the trip to Valhalla next month.

He knows he needs to impress with some good performances, starting in Zandfoort on Thursday, when he tees it up with Paul Lawrie and Nick Dougherty.

"I'm desperate to make it - I'd love to," he said. "I'm doing everything I can, but whoever Nick picks I'm sure it will be the best team.

"If I don't play well these two weeks I'd have no complaints if I don't get picked - it would be totally acceptable.

"The first tee of a Ryder Cup is not the place to be if you're not flying on all cylinders."

Clarke showed good form to finish sixth in the WGC-Bridgestone event earlier this month and although he missed the cut at the USPGA, he was not downhearted.

"I actually played okay there," he added. "I'd be the first to say so if I was terrible, but I wasn't."