Clarke Tries to Get Away From It All on Course

A year that Darren Clarke would just as soon forget is coming to an end, although not quickly enough. At least he has learned to take something good from each day, especially on the golf course, because that philosophy has been tested often when there is no club in his hand.

Last week, Clarke was in South Africa, where he made it to a playoff at the Nedbank Challenge. This week, he is at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, playing the Target World Challenge and once again inside the ropes, which is probably the safest place for Clarke as his wife battles cancer.

It has been a long and difficult fight. Heather Clarke is undergoing chemotherapy for a second time since being diagnosed 13 months ago with a recurrence of breast cancer that was discovered in 2002. Oncologists found a problem with Heather’s lungs not long ago and Clarke curtailed his playing schedule to stay with her and their two children at their home in Chobham, England.

Clarke, a cigar-wielding, car-loving, 37-year-old from Dungannon, Northern Ireland, has tried to keep his public life separate from his private life, and Thursday’s first round at Sherwood seemed to indicate he might be having some success.

Clarke’s seven-under-par 65 is two shots off the pace set by Michael Campbell, who bogeyed the last hole and still shot 63. Tiger Woods shot even par 72, blamed his putting and is tied for eighth.

Woods probably isn’t used to such a position as a two-time winner of his own tournament, but from any vantage point, he said he understands why Clarke might find some solace by playing golf. Tiger’s father, Earl, has battled cancer for years.

“Any time you have problems off the golf course, sometimes you find sanctuary on it,” Woods said. “You get away and then reality hits you once you step off. What he’s going through is not something you wish on anybody.”

Last week at Sun City, Heather Clarke, 38, felt well enough to come to the tournament. What she saw was Clarke force a playoff with Jim Furyk before losing. In mid-November, Clarke played the Taiheiyo Masters, a Japanese Tour event, and won. His opening round at Sherwood included two eagles and was another indication to Clarke that separating his work from his private life is a workable scenario.

“Inside the ropes is like I’m away from things for a moment,” he said. “I’m in my own little world at times, especially if I’m playing OK. If I’m not, then my mind tends to wander.”

Clarke wound up playing in only 12 PGA Tour events this year because of his wife’s health, but he said he never considered sitting out the entire season. His last PGA Tour event was the Buick Championship in August and he withdrew from the American Express in October.

“I’m glad that I did, but in terms of not playing at all, that wasn’t going to benefit anybody,” Clarke said of curtailing his schedule. “I’ve got to go and do something.”

Next year’s schedule must remain tentative for Clarke, but if all goes well, he will start at the European Tour events at Qatar and Dubai, then play the Nissan Open at Riviera and the match-play event at La Costa. After that, he said he would try to play at Doral, a tournament he was forced to skip this year.

Because he didn’t play the minimum 15 tournaments required to maintain his status on the PGA Tour for 2006, Clarke could have forfeited his playing privileges, but he received a special release from the tour. He remains exempt through 2006 for his 2003 victory at the NEC, but must still play the 15 required PGA Tour events.

Clarke played in three of the four majors, but he missed the U.S. Open in June. Heather, married to Clarke eight years ago, had been admitted to a London hospital in May because of heart problems related to the medication she was taking after chemotherapy.

On the course, Clarke’s world ranking is 18 and his bank account shows $1.46 million in those 12 PGA Tour events, good enough for 52nd on the money list. Off the course, the issues are vastly different and Clarke’s wife and two children command his attention.

He said he would have it no other way.