Clarke aiming to show recovery is complete

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 17 (Reuters) Darren Clarke is hoping his performance in the British Open will show his golfing rehabilitation is complete.

The Northern Irishman's focus had understandably slipped so badly after the death of his wife Heather last year that he did not even check his clubs had the correct shafts when he began the season.

Following eight missed cuts and two withdrawals Clarke finally made the weekend of the PGA Tour's Buick Open three weeks ago, after at last having his shafts changed.

He tied for 49th there and then fared even better at last week's Scottish Open, sharing 19th place.

''I didn't realise how much it was going to affect me, Heather passing away,'' Clarke told reporters at Carnoustie today.

''Different people handle it in different ways. I got through the Ryder Cup (in September) but then it all hit me.

''It's taken a long while and it's become increasingly frustrating. I feel like a rookie again, having a lot of weekends off.'' Clarke said the outlook was now much rosier.

''I'm not going to say I'm going to win this week because I've not been up there for so long but my ball striking is good,'' he said.

''I've put my head down to come through this and I'm very comfortable with my game.'' REUTERS DH BD1827