Family illness halts Clarke

GOLF/News round-up: Darren Clarke has taken an earlier than envisaged winter break in order to be at home with his wife, Heather, who is undergoing hospital tests to determine the severity of recent medical problems.

The 36-year-old was due to play in this week's Nelson Mandela Invitational and next week's NedBank Challenge in South Africa but has withdrawn from both events and won't reappear on the circuit until the new year, most likely on the US Tour.

Clarke, ranked at number 12 in world golf, discovered his wife could be seriously ill on his return after winning the Visa Masters in Japan last week, his first tournament win of the season.

"Much as I am disappointed in having to withdraw from my obligations, I hope that everybody understands that it is vital I am with my wife and family at this time," said Clarke. The couple have two children, Tyrone (6), and Conor (4).

He added: "Heather has been having problems and we are determined to get to the bottom of them as quickly as possible. It is a difficult time for all of us and I would ask that our privacy is respected."

Clarke had already decided not to accept an invitation to play in the Tiger Woods-promoted Target World Challenge in California next month because of his intensive end-of-year schedule.

Yesterday, Woods confirmed he will compete in the JP McManus Pro-Am in Adare Manor next July, an event which raises significant sums of money to be distributed among charities in the mid-west region.

Clarke was scheduled to play in next week's Nedbank Challenge in Sun City alongside Americans Jim Furyk, Chris DiMarco, Jay Haas, Chad Campbell and Todd Hamilton, Australia's Stuart Appleby, South Africans Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, Zimbabwe's Nick Price, Swede Fredrik Jacobson and defending champion Sergio Garcia of Spain.

His place in the 12-man field will be taken up by his friend Lee Westwood.

Meanwhile, John O'Donoghue, the Minister for Sport, has received an apology from the Ryder Cup Ltd for the fact the Irish national anthem was sung in English at the opening ceremony to the Ryder Cup match at Oakland Hills last September.

The Minister raised the matter in Detroit when Amhrán na bhFiann was sung in English rather than Irish. Richard Hills, a director of the Ryder Cup, has written to the Minister apologising if it caused any "embarrassment".

It will, of course, be sung in Irish when the Ryder Cup takes place at The K Club in 2006.