Clarke paired with Woods in replay of Ryder Cup

Darren Clarke will continue to be at the centre of the golfing world's attention this week after being paired with the world No 1 Tiger Woods for the opening two rounds of the American Express World Championship.

The Ulsterman made headlines with his flawless display at an emotional Ryder Cup, just weeks after the death of his wife, and will face one of the men he defeated at the K Club.

Clarke is a close friend of the defending champion and the duo tee off in tomorrow's first round at The Grove near Watford just before 1pm and will resume just after midday on Friday.

More Ryder Cup opponents are grouped together, including Colin Montgomerie and Chris DiMarco, Padraig Harrington and J J Henry, Jose Maria Olazabal and David Toms, Robert Karlsson and Jim Furyk, Paul Casey and Chad Campbell, Sergio Garcia and Scott Verplank, and Luke Donald and Brett Wetterich.

The tournament will almost certainly be the last World Golf Championships event staged in Europe this decade. That was confirmed yesterday with the announcement that the World Cup would be moved to China.