Dazza delight at Ryder boost

Clarke: Vital victory

I said I needed to play well these two weeks to have a chance of a pick and it always feels good to do it when you really have to.

Darren Clarke
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With the Ryder Cup looming large, Darren Clarke admits his win at the KLM Open could not have been better-timed, but remains philosophical about his chances of securing a wildcard berth.

The Ulsterman memorably won all three of his matches in the 2006 match at the K Club just six weeks after the death of his wife Heather having been named as one of captain Ian Woosnam's two picks.

Clarke now looks to be in a four-way battle with Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and Colin Montgomerie for the two wildcard spots in Nick Faldo's team, but gave his chances a major shot in the arm with his comprehensive victory in Holland.

There is now just one qualifying event remaining before Faldo reveals his selections, that being the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

Clarke was outspoken in his criticism of the course at Gleneagles where both the tournament and the 2014 Ryder Cup will take place, but concedes there is no chance of that stopping him competing this week.

Asked if he was tempted to rest on his laurels and take the week off, he joked: "What, and not go to Gleneagles? The thought had crossed my mind!

"No, I know what I said last year about it and the condition of it, but I am now in the position where I have to go next week and try to play really well on it.

"I am playing great and the Ryder Cup is a huge thing for everyone, but I have other things that I want to do as well.

"I want to move up the world rankings and Order of Merit and Gleneagles is another big tournament. At the end of the year I want to be sitting down having my Christmas lunch thinking that I am in all the big tournaments again next year.

"I said I needed to play well these two weeks to have a chance of a pick and it always feels good to do it when you really have to."

Out of his hands

Many feel the triumph in Zandvoort has all but sealed Clarke's inclusion in Faldo's side, but the 40-year-old is taking nothing for granted.

While obviously desperate to figure, he insists he would bear no grudge towards Faldo if he were to be overlooked.

"I can't do anything about the situation. It's up to Nick and who he sees fit to help the team," Clarke continued.

"It's the captain's prerogative - that's why he is the captain. It's his call and if he thinks there are other guys more deserving of a pick then I have no problem with that whatsoever.

"If he decides not to pick me then whoever is on the plane will be part of a really strong team going there."