Darren Clarke has revealed he is considering a move to the US Tour on the eve of his first tournament of the year in South Africa.

The 32-year-old finished second on the European money list last year, just behind Lee Westwood - and losing their £1 bet in the process.

He could be lost to the European Tour for the majority of the year if he decides to test himself in America full time in the near future.

"If you don't try these things you don't know how good you are," he said. "Playing at that standard every week, where it is a little bit higher over there, would be beneficial - but there are other things to be decided," said Clarke as he prepared for the start of the South African Open at East London today.

"We have a young family, and you have to do it before they start school and things like that. I don't mind it over there and certainly enjoy it whenever I go over there."

A lack of tournament victories last year cost Clarke the Order of Merit title despite his stunning success in the Andersen Consulting World Matchplay at the start of the season over Tiger Woods.

He won $1 million for that victory but added just the English Open title during the rest of the year, while Westwood won six times in five different countries.

"I want to try and improve as everybody does at the start of the year. I want to win more tournaments," Clarke added.

Clarke this week faces a testing mixture of hills, high winds and hard greens destined to test anyone's patience, particularly in their first event of the year.

At least the weather on the Indian Ocean coast will be warmer than in Ireland for the last fortnight where Clarke has been practising at home.

"I played quite a lot the last two weeks in Portrush. It was about minus two degrees. I think I had about 10 layers on," said Clarke.

He added: "I lost a little bit of weight having a very sensible Christmas and New Year. It wasn't planned; I lost a bit towards the end of last year, so I thought I would just keep on going."

Despite his lack of practice Clarke will be among the favourites for the £107,000 first prize along with Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, local favourite Retief Goosen and defending champion Mathias Gronberg.

Last week's winner Adam Scott of Australia has been forced to withdraw with a knee injury - but runner-up at Houghton, England's Justin Rose, has been given a sponsor's invitation.