Darren Clarke will play in the Ryder Cup less than six weeks after the death of his wife - and both he and captain Ian Woosnam are convinced he can help Europe complete an unprecedented hat-trick of wins against the United States.
Clarke and close friend Lee Westwood were the wild card choices announced by Woosnam last night for the K Club clash starting two weeks on Friday, the Ulsterman having been told four days ago and Westwood hearing only when he arrived back in Britain from finishing 28th in Munich.
'I certainly would not have considered making myself available unless I felt I could contribute to the cause,' said Clarke, whose wife lost her long battle against cancer on August 13.
'It's going to be a magnificent week and I would not have wanted to miss it. Neither would my lovely wife Heather.'
