Darren Clarke has one word to describe the bookmakers who have made him a red-hot favourite for the Murphy's Irish Open starting at Ballybunion tomorrow. Crazy.
Despite the absence of the four men immediately below him at the top of the European Order of Merit - Lee Westwood, Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie and Michael Campbell - Clarke has a warning for those thinking of investing a sizeable sum on him becoming the first home winner since John O'Leary in 1982.
The 31-year-old Ulsterman says odds as short as 6-1 are ridiculous and adds, ‘I wouldn't put a penny on myself at that - and I wouldn't put anything on at 60-1 either !’ Although he went through the £1 million barrier last weekend by finishing joint-third at the Compaq European Grand Prix at Slaley Hall, Clarke puts his current form at only so-so and admits to being tired mentally and physically.
So, while he would love to mark the selection of the 106-year-old Ballybunion course for its first major international event by lifting the title, he is not banking on it.
