TIGER Woods has sent a message of support and encouragement to Darren Clarke and predicted the Ulsterman will recapture his best form in 2008 after clinching his first top-ten finish in 18 months at the South African Airways Open on Sunday.
If the world No1 was in reflective mood about the importance of family after seeing his own baby daughter, Sam Alexis, waiting for him for the first time behind the 18th green at the Target Challenge, he spared a thought for Clarke, who is starti
ng to build a new life both on and off the course.
After the loss of his late wife Heather to cancer in the summer of 2006, Clarke has been through hard times. "Well, I can't even put myself in his shoes in order to truly understand what he's gone through, to lose someone that you figured you'd spend the rest of your life with," said Woods. "Not too many people can really and truly understand what he's gone through and how hard it's been. I've talked to him on quite a few occasions. It's been pretty painful, been very tough.
"You know, the thing he alluded to is he's become so much closer to his kids, and that's given him a lot of strength. I think now they're just starting to see the game turn around and I think he's going to make some nice strides this year."
In his personal life, Clarke is starting to move on and confirmed on his website yesterday that he has a girlfriend, Kerry Schiller, who attended the South African Open. "Kerry and I met a few months ago but have only been dating seriously for the last few weeks," he said. "It's been great to have her here supporting me this week, she's a very good influence on me."
With Malcolm Mason, former caddie to Sam Torrance, on the bag – his former caddie, Billy Foster, has teamed up with Sergio Garcia – the Irishman performed well enough in South Africa to feel like he's turned a corner.
"It's been a very difficult year for me but I'm confident now that things are starting to look up both personally and professionally," added Clarke.
"Tying for third place is a pretty good way to finish the year, and the way I've played in the last four tournaments has given me a lot to look forward to in the new year. If I had the option, I'd continue playing right now."
The full article contains 420 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
