JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (PA) -- Darren Clarke is looking to kickstart his bid for a sixth successive Ryder Cup appearance with a good performance this week's Joburg Open in South Africa.
The 39-year-old from Northern Ireland was due to play in the Royal Trophy in Thailand this week, but a 15-day period of mourning to mark the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's elder sister means the match play tournament between Europe and Asia has been postponed indefinitely.
Clarke moved quickly to ensure he will still have competitive action by signing up for the Joburg Open, which is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and southern Africa's Sunshine Tour and which starts Thursday at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.
"I went to South Africa before Christmas because I felt I needed to get competitive again and played pretty well in both events [the Alfred Dunhill Championship and South African Airways Open]," said Clarke, who has played on four winning Ryder Cup teams.
"I always enjoy my trips to South Africa and can't wait to play," he added. "I've worked hard over Christmas and I'm now looking forward to getting my year off to a fast start and putting myself into the Ryder Cup picture."
HOWELL AIMS HIGH: European Ryder Cup star David Howell of England has set himself two goals this year -- securing a place on Nick Faldo's Ryder Cup team and re-establishing his place in the world's top 50.
The 32-year-old, who has helped the Europeans to victory in the last two Ryder Cups, has suffered a dramatic loss of form in the last 18 months after struggling with injury.
However, he's confident he can recapture the game that saw him outscore Tiger Woods in a head-to-head in the final round to win the HSBC Champions tournament just over two years ago.
"By the end of 2008, I'd like to have qualified for the Ryder Cup and be in the top 50 again, but I'd be wrong to think I can get back to the top just like that," said Howell, who was once as high as ninth in the world rankings.
Howell and fellow Englishman Lee Westwood have both confirmed they will play in the $2.5 million Commercialbank Qatar Masters on Jan. 24-27.
"Both Lee and David were key players when Europe won the last two Ryder Cup matches at Oakland Hills in 2004 and the K Club in 2006," said Tournament Manager Chris Myers. "They have both been in the world's top 10 and when playing at their best are good enough to beat anyone so it's a pleasure to have them competing in Doha."
NO WORRIES: Colin Montgomerie has settled his differences with 2008 European Ryder Cup Captain Nick Faldo, but he remains philosophical about his chances of making the team.
Faldo publicly criticized the Scot for being difficult during the 2007 Seve Trophy, a Ryder Cup-style event that pits a team from Great Britain and Ireland against a squad from Continental Europe. It led to an uncomfortable couple of weeks in the pair's relationship, but Montgomerie said that has now all been cleared up.
"I've spoken to Nick and it's fine. It doesn't concern me," said Montgomerie, 44, who has played in eight Ryder Cups. "Nick is his own man. He's a very, very individual man."
Montgomerie is currently a long way from qualifying for the biennial event against America, but there are eight months to go before the team is finalized and the Scot is confident he can play for a ninth time.
But if he does not make the team for Valhalla, he would take it in his stride.
"I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. I'd just make sure I qualified in 2010," said Montgomerie. "It's just one of these things. I'm nowhere near it now because I made a particularly poor start to the qualifying situation, but I know if I play well in 2008 I'll qualify."
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