Clarke hopes recent marriage revives golf career

SEOUL, KOREA (AP) - Darren Clarke hopes he can start a winning stretch when the Ballantine’s Championship gets under way near Seoul on Thursday.

Clarke is looking to end a run of poor form since his victory in the British Open last summer.

In European Tour events, his best finish was 20th at the Volvo Champions in South Africa in January. He missed the cut at the Honda Classic in his only U.S. PGA Tour event this year.

He’s hoping his luck will turn after his recent marriage on a beach in the Bahamas.

Clarke has not played the hilly course, but said he’s gotten advice from friend and last year’s winner Lee Westwood. He won’t return to defend the title after winning the Asian Tour’s Indonesian Open last weekend.

Clarke’s main rivals in the field will be Ian Poulter and Adam Scott.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SEOUL, Korea (AP) _ Darren Clarke hopes he can start a winning stretch when the Ballantine’s Championship gets under way near Seoul on Thursday.

Clarke is looking to end a run of poor form since his victory in the British Open last summer.

In European Tour events, his best finish was 20th at the Volvo Champions in South Africa in January. He missed the cut at the Honda Classic in his only U.S. PGA Tour event this year.

He’s hoping his luck will turn after his recent marriage on a beach in the Bahamas.

Clarke has not played the hilly course, but said he’s gotten advice from friend and last year’s winner Lee Westwood. He won’t return to defend the title after winning the Asian Tour’s Indonesian Open last weekend.

Clarke’s main rivals will be Dustin Johnson and Adam Scott.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.