European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke is putting all thoughts of next year’s tournament in Minnesota to one side as he prepares for the Open at St Andrew’s this week.
Clarke is one of the veterans of the European Tour now and this will be his 24th appearance in the Open.
However it’s just four years since the Irishman lifted the famous claret jug at Royal St Georges and he insists that the Ryder Cup is the furthest thing from his mind at the moment.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Clarke revealed: “(I’m just) here as a player this week. The Ryder Cup points start in Russia in September and things will change there but until that time I’m still trying to be as competitive as I possibly can.
“I’m very happy with the way that I’m hitting the ball. I’ve got great control of the flight, especially with the driver at the moment and I’ve just got to take my opportunities.
“I really enjoy St Andrews, I really enjoy the challenge of it. Maybe for the first time here that’s not what I thought but over the 29 years I’ve been coming here I’ve learned to appreciate and love the golf course.
“To play it on an Open Championship is even better.”
The 46-year-old expects the conditions at St Andrews to play a major factor in the outcome of the tournament and was surprised by the lushness of the greens.
“Anytime you play St Andrews it’s a great chance but the course is more green than it has been for some time.
“The balls are holding a little bit more on the greens and there’s more heavy rain forecast for Friday so it’s going to be a little bit different to what we’re used to seeing.”
