5/01/2013

Clarke Back in Action


Darren Clarke returns to action this week after recovering from the injury that forced him to pull out of the Masters earlier this month.

The 2011 Open champion has been sidelined for five weeks after suffering a hamstring strain while playing tennis with his children.

But the 44-year-old is in Jakarta for this week's Indonesian Masters, where reigning Open champion Ernie Els and former US Open winner Michael Campbell are also competing.

"It has been a frustrating period. I'm not good at sitting and not doing anything. I've had intensive treatment on my hamstring and it is fine now," said Clarke.

"I was playing tennis with my kids and I thought I was 24 and not 44! Unfortunately I had to pull out from Augusta and Korea last week.

"I couldn't do anything. I could hardly walk, hit golf balls or putt. I had to sit at home and watch the Masters. I only watched the last round on television because if I watched every day, then I would have been frustrated."

Clarke also revealed he had sought advice from good friend Lee Westwood, who is a two-time winner of the Indonesian Masters.

"I haven't played here before but Lee has told me bits and pieces about the golf course," he added. "The greens and fairways are sensational here. It is set up tough but fair as well. It will be a good, fair and stern test."


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