British Open champ will remain in Europe
Maybe it’s his association with agent Chubby Chandler. Maybe it’s his elevated status in Europe after winning the British Open. Or maybe it’s just that the PGA Tour ain’t what it used to be.
There are many good reasons why former PGA Tour member Darren Clarke will not join the circuit next year. But his apparent rejection of the ultimate proving ground in golf is further evidence of the globalization of the sport and that the European Tour — with its financial guarantees and growing purses and prestige — is becoming an attractive option for golf’s top players more than ever.
When asked Tuesday at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, about playing in America next year, Clarke’s answer revealed the sensitive nature of the discussion.
| UP NEXT |
| WGC-Bridgestone Invitational |
| When » Thursday-Sunday |
| Where » Firestone Country Club, Akron, Ohio |
| TV » Golf Channel/CBS |
| Five to watch |
| Tiger Woods |
| Here’s how dominant Woods has been in World Golf Championship events. He has won 16 of the 39 WGCs, 13 more than any other player. Seven of those wins have come in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Second-place Geoff Ogilvy has won three WGCs. |
| Hunter Mahan |
| The defending champion notched the biggest win of his career here last year but has not captured a PGA Tour event since despite seven top-10 finishes this season. He’ll play with U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy. |
| Matteo Manassero |
| The 18-year-old Italian has a brilliant iron game and is ready to become the youngest player to capture a WGC event. He will play in a dynamic twosome with 22-year-old Rickie Fowler, who is still seeking his first PGA Tour victory. |
| Darren Clarke |
| He is paired with Woods. The two are friendly, dating to their time with Butch Harmon. Until his British Open win in July, Clarke’s biggest victory came over Woods in the 2000 Match Play Championship. Clarke won the WGC-Bridgestone in 2003. |
| Nick Watney |
| He is paired with Steve Stricker. Both have two wins this year, and they are ranked first and second in the FedEx Cup standings. Watney won at the WGC-Cadillac Championship in March. Stricker’s resume also includes a WGC title, the 2001 Match Play. |
“I need to be politically correct here, don’t I?” he asked reporters. “You would love me to be myself and say what I’m really thinking, but I better not.”
It took some prodding, but Clarke later explained.
“The whole thing about being a [PGA] member is so you can participate in the FedEx at the end of the year,” Clarke said. “Playing in the FedEx is not really something that I would — that would get my attention.”
Clarke is one of several prominent players from the British Isles represented by Chandler. Two of the others, Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy, skipped the PGA Tour’s premier event, the Players Championship, with the support of Chandler.
After a year on the PGA Tour, McIlroy bowed out this year. When he tees off Thursday in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, it will be his first tournament in America since he won the U.S. Open eight weeks ago. He said Wednesday, however, he is considering a return.
“I’m leaning toward taking my card up again definitely,” McIlroy said. “I feel as if I play my [best] golf over here. I’m very comfortable in this country. I’m going to look at a few houses down in Florida after the PGA.”
Clarke’s situation is different from McIlroy, who is 20 years younger and single. Clarke, 42, is a widower with two sons at home in Northern Ireland. For the moment, the European Tour is enough for Clarke.
“Ten years ago I was a member of the PGA Tour, and I was proud to be a member of the PGA Tour,” Clarke said. “Now with the way that the game is on a much more global basis, you know, European Tour is pretty good as well.”
