The Open champion Darren Clarke to play in the 2012 Honda Classic
Newly crowned British Open champion, Darren Clarke will be featuring in the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour’s Honda Classic, which will take place at the Palm Beach Gardens from February 27 to March 4, 2012.
Clarke is first of the three major champions to accept the invitation. Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell are yet to decide whether to compete in the event or not.
The news was confirmed by the Executive Director of Honda Classic, Kenneth R. Kennerly in a press conference on Monday.
“We are absolutely ecstatic at the endorsement The Honda Classic is receiving from the top International players in the World. Darren's victory at The British Open coupled with Rory's victory at Congressional are two wonderful stories for the world of golf.
We are thrilled that the golf fans of South Florida will be able to come out to PGA National next March and watch them play in The Honda Classic,” said Kennerly while addressing the press.
The Northern Irishman was looking forward for an exemption into the tournament for the next season. However, as a result of Clarke’s victory at the Open Championship, the tournament organizers were obliged to sent him an invitation, and not surprisingly
at all after what the Northern Irishman managed to achieve at the event.
Clarke’s triumph was phenomenal. Not only did he compete in championship for the 20th time, this was his first appearance in a major after a gap of ten years. Ironically, the reason behind him not featuring in a major these past three years was
his failure to qualify for the events, as he has fallen out of the Top 100 players on the Official World Golf Rankings.
Apart from Clarke, world number two Lee Westwood has also agreed to play in the Honda Classic. However, Clarke’s compatriots Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy are still to confirm their presence in the tournament, which is known as the season starter on the
PGA Tour.
Fans and the tournament organizers will be waiting anxiously for the players’ response, and will be hoping for the Northern Irish trio to feature in the event.
Tags: