DARREN CLARKE'S limited exertions in the US Open where he failed to survive the cut have left him with no need for a touch of R and R. So, while Philip Walton takes a break from the European Tour, the big hitting Dungannon man will be part of a ten strong Irish invasion force at the BMW International Open in Munich, which starts on Thursday.
Given the spate of first time winners on the circuit so far this season (Retief Goosen's success in Slaley Hall brought the number to seven), perhaps the odds will "favour the five Irishmen in the group who have never savoured a tournament win Raymond Burns, Francis Howley, David Higgins, Jimmy Heggarty and Eoghan O'Connell, who earned his place in Munich thanks to some late withdrawals yesterday.
Clarke, however, will not be the only player in the BMW field with something to prove. Bernhard Langer returns to home soil after suffering the indignity of disqualification at Oakland Hills while Seve Ballesteros, who failed" to receive an invitation to the US Open, rejoins the European Tour after his mid season lay off.
Padraig Harrington, the only Irish winner so far this season, Ronan Rafferty, Christy O'Connor Jnr, Eamonn Darcy, Clarke, Burns, Howley, Higgins, Heggarty and O'Connell comprise the Irish contingent in action. Paul McGinley, who is chasing a "current form exemption into the British Open he will know his fate after the Murphy's Irish Open and Walton are resting this week but return to the fray for next week's French Open.
Meanwhile, Brendan McGov and David Jones, a three times winner of the event, will head the Irish challenge when the Glenmuir Club Professional Championship commences at Baltray today. It is the first time the event has been held in this country.
Apart from the £9,000 top prize, there is an added incentive for the 135 competitors which will be reduced to 50 for the final 36 holes with places on the British and Irish team for the Johnnie Walker PGA Cup match at Gleneagles on August 30th September 1st to be decided. The ten-man team will be selected after the championship.
Paul Carman, the club professional at Huddersfield, defends his title over the Baltray links. ,"There are 17, Irish qualifiers in the field McGovern (Headfort) Jones (Mount Ober), Bobby Browne (Laytown and Bettystown), Gerry Burke (The Curragh), Alistair Cardwell (Scrabo), David Carroll (Seapoint), Gary Chambers (Killymoon), Kevin Dorrian (Legends), Gordon Drew, (Donaghadee), Tommy Halpin (Toughers), David Keenaghan (Delvin Castle), Paddy McGuirk (Co Louth), Leonard Owens (Royal Dublin), Chris Spence (Newforge Lane), Paul Stevenson (Portadown), Roger Yates (The Open GC) and Johnny Young (Tyrellstown).
. Gary Cullen, of Beaverstown, has been drafted in to the Irish Youths team to play Scotland at Stranraer next Friday. The Dubliner takes the place of David Dunne, who has been forced out of the side because of a foot injury which developed during the Irish Amateur Open at Fota Island last week. The Irish team Paul Byrne (Nenagh), Rory Leonard (Banbridge/UUJ), Andrew McCormick (Scrabo), Colm McMonagal (Gweedore), Gary O'Flaherty (Cork) and Cullen will also participate in the Scottish Youths Open, before travelling home for an international match with Wales at Royal Portrush prior to the Irish Youths' Open.
