Clarke - I'm trying too hard

Ulsterman unhappy with state of his game

Last updated: 7th July 2008

clarke darren Sunningdale Open qualifier

Clarke: Disappointing form

I really expected an awful lot more from myself since the Asian. Maybe that's the problem. Maybe I've expected too much and I'm trying too hard, which I think I'm doing. I'm trying to force things to happen and I'm going the other way.

Darren Clarke
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Darren Clarke cut a disappointed figure after failing to come through the Open Championship qualifier at Sunningdale, but conceded he had got what he deserved.

The Ulsterman was never really in the hunt for one of the 18 spots on offer after a four-over-par first round of 74 and was unable to rectify the damage with a second round 70.

The 39-year-old has not missed an Open since failing to qualify for St Andrews as an amateur in 1990 and still has a chance should he claim a top-five finish at European Open or the Scottish Open over the next couple of weeks.

However, Clarke concedes that is unlikely given the way he is currently playing, made all the harder for him to take given that he thought he had turned the corner after his victory at the BMW Asian Open in China at the end of April.

"I'm disappointed but, in fairness, I got what I deserved," he said of his failure at Sunningdale. "I played poorly. I tried as hard as I could but my game wasn't there.

"I really expected an awful lot more from myself since the Asian. Maybe that's the problem.

"Maybe I've expected too much and I'm trying too hard, which I think I'm doing. I'm trying to force things to happen and I'm going the other way.

"It's because I want to do so well that I try so hard. Otherwise, I'm doing everything I should be doing, so it's particularly disappointing."

Rory McIlroy was another to leave Sunningdale frustrated as he missed out on qualification by just two strokes.

Like Clarke, the 19-year-old - who finished as top amateur at Carnoustie last year - will have two further chances in the next fortnight, but feels he should already have booked his spot at Birkdale.

"I three-putted three times this afternoon, on three, four and seven," McIlroy stated. "If they were two putts, I'd be in the Open. I just never got any momentum going. I finished quite strongly, but it was not enough.

"I probably tried to play it a little too smart instead of trying to make birdies. Hopefully I won't be here next year, but if I am I'll know what to do."