Darren Clarke is hoping the positive vibes from last week’s appointment as European Ryder Cup captain can improve his on-course performance, starting at this week’s Joburg Open in South Africa.
The 46 year old Northern Irishman was announced as the man to lead Europe’s quest for a record-breaking fourth consecutive Ryder Cup victory at Hazeltine in 19 months’ time, and has been overwhelmed by the messages of goodwill he has received from the world of golf.
But before he gets to the business end of his captaincy, Clarke is hoping that his new position will enable him to find a winning formula on the fairways of the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club as he looks to recapture his best form.
“Obviously my own competitive instincts haven't been too good of late and the captaincy might actually be a blessing in disguise in terms of my golf because it will take my mind away from practising too hard and I'll have a lot of things to focus on,” said Clarke.
“Hopefully it will help me play a little bit better. Certainly this year, I don't think the captaincy will make an awful lot of difference, but I would imagine next year it would make a big difference in my playing schedule.”
Clarke will have to overcome a strong field, spearheaded by two of South Africa’s finest exponents of the game in defending champion George Coetzee and Richard Sterne, who is looking to make it a hat-trick of Joburg Open titles this week.
Coetzee secured his maiden European Tour title at last year’s Joburg Open and the big South African is looking forward to arriving at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.
“It’s nice to be able to say I am a defending champion of the Joburg Open finally, so I am really looking forward to the week. The courses are in great condition so I’m hoping to have a blast,” said Coetzee.
“I have always enjoyed the event and the venue. It’s close to where I live, so I can stay at home and enjoy it, plus the two golf courses really suit my eye having played them a lot over the years. Even the few holes that don’t really fit my game, I have managed to find a way to play them.
“My game has developed over the years and I am a lot better equipped to play the courses there. I remember the first time I played the East course and just thinking to myself that I would never be able to even shoot level par there but, as I say, I have improved and learned and now I really enjoy the test.
“My swing is starting to click and get a lot more consistent. I am picking up form slowly and hopefully that continues to pick up to the point where I am standing with that trophy in my hands again on Sunday night.”
Among the international challengers at the tournament co-sanctioned with Sunshine Tour are South African Open champion Andy Sullivan, as well as last week’s Hero Indian Open runner-up, SSP Chawrasia.
As in previous years, the Joburg Open will be played across Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club’s East and West courses, with the 210-man field playing each layout over the first two rounds before the East course hosts the final two days of action.
For the second consecutive year, the tournament will also serve as a gateway into The Open Championship, with the top three finishers within the top ten of the Joburg Open not already exempt gaining a place in the field at St Andrews in July.
