Darren Clarke isn't the sensitive type. Thick-skinned as they come, in fact!
Europe’s Ryder Cup captain accepts his team will endure some heckling from the American fans when they defend the trophy at Hazeltine next year but expects them to be able to deal with whatever comes their way.
In describing it as "part and parcel of the modern game", Clarke said of the verbal abuse directed at Sergio Garcia at The Players Championship: "There's hecklers in every crowd . . . Sergio, bless him, he's great, but Sergio, he just fires people up.
“That’s what he does . . . it’s not the first time but Sergio is a tough guy and he can handle it. Poults (Ian Poulter) gets it as well, they’ll be fine. They are old enough and tough enough to deal with any hecklers.”
Clarke added: “With Davis (Love III) as US captain, and given the spirit and the immense respect that Davis shows to the game, that would not be part of what he would want at a Ryder Cup. So, I’m sure you won’t see it at a Ryder Cup.”
Clarke confirmed at Royal County Down that he had decided to stick with the same qualifying system, with three ‘wild card’ picks, as his predecessor Paul McGinley employed at Gleneagles.
Ryder Cup duties aside, the 46-year-old Ulsterman believes he found “a key” to his game during a final round 66 at Wentworth on Sunday that could finally enable him to challenge for an Irish Open title which has eluded him throughout his career. This will be his 24th time playing in the championship.
Clarke – who played a practice round with amateur Gavin Moynihan yesterday – insisted his "work ethic has not changed, that has not diminished," adding: "My desire has increased to the detriment to my game. But c'est le vie, it is what it is.
“I’m 46 now and I’m trying to play my best. The weeks I don’t achieve that, am I hard on myself? Yes, I am. That’s the way I am . . . But my desire is what keeps me out there practising and working hard and seeking those four consistent rounds in a row.
“In terms of ball-striking, I found something, hit the ball very solid from tee-to-green, and hopefully I can carry on with that and keep doing what I’m doing.”
