Clarke eyes golf rankings boost from Thailand

AFP: British Open champion Darren Clarke said Friday he wants to end a chequered campaign on a winning note at the inaugural $1 million Thailand Golf Championship.

The 43-year-old Northern Irishman took a title in Spain before his breakthrough Major victory in July, but has since failed to finish in the top ten, slumping to 43rd in the golf rankings.

Clarke was a popular winner at Royal St George’s but has endured a poor run of results and faces a tough field in Thailand including US Open winner Rory McIlroy, world number three Lee Westwood and Masters champion Charl Schwartzel.

But he is confident a strong showing at the December 15 to 18 event is the ideal platform to propel him up the rankings.

“I’d love to win a third. I’m trying to win again. If I can then it would be great. I’d like to get further up the world rankings,” he said, according to an Asian Tour press release.

“I want to keep on going... I’ve just got to do what I’ve been doing before and hopefully it will give me more opportunities.”

In-form Spaniard Sergio Garcia and England’s Simon Dyson have also been confirmed for the season-ending Asian Tour event, which organisers said will go ahead after the worst flooding in decades in Thailand.

Japanese sensation Ryo Ishikawa and Thai legend Thongchai Jaidee will also compete at the inaugural showpiece at the Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok.