Clarke targets South Africa win

Darren Clarke is hoping to put a disappointing 12 months behind him by challenging for the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

"I've obviously had a very tough year and it didn't go exactly well for a few different reasons, but I'm very keen to get going again," said Clarke.

"I've been working really hard now for three weeks on all aspects of my game, in the gym, putting and hitting balls.

"Things have settled down at home and I want to play. That's why I'm here."

Clarke says he is feeling good ahead of the competition.

"Practise has been very good although I took a few wrong lines off the tees yesterday because I'd forgotten them.

"Overall I thought the course was magnificent and in great shape. There are a few really trick holes out there that I'm a little bit more aware of now than I was yesterday."

The other big European hope is Ross Fisher, who currently lies second on the European Tour's 2008 Order of Merit.

Ernie Els spearheads home hopes at the Mpumalanga event, the first of three co-sanctioned European and Sunshine Tour events.

Compatriot Charl Schwartzel, 23, claimed his maiden European Tour victory at the event in 2004 and followed that up with consecutive runners-up finishes in the last two seasons.

Other local favourites include current Sunshine Tour leader Louis Oosthuizen, 2007 Johnnie Walker Classic champion Anton Haig and Richard Sterne, winner of the Celtic Manor Wales Open earlier this year.

Source: BBC Sport