Clarke nurses wildcard hangover

Darren Clarke was suffering from a raging Ryder Cup wildcard hangover yesterday.

The big Ulsterman, 40, drowned his sorrows by polishing off several bottles of wine with his coach Ewen Murray.

But he refused to criticise skipper Nick Faldo for smashing his dream comeback to form this year.

Clarke told Setanta Sports News: "I was very disappointed but it’s the captain’s job to pick who he wants to pick and unfortunately for me he went with Paul Casey and Ian Poulter,

“So I am disappointed and have a bit of a hangover today I have to say, but that’s his choice. That is why he is the captain.”

Coach and Sky Sports commentator Murray believes that Faldo changed his captaincy policy in mid stream after saying that he would use his wildcards to pick players in form.

Murray sniped: "Over these last few months, he has decided not to choose that route and has gone on a hunch that Ian Poulter is running into form. Really?

"Here is a player who is fresh off two missed cuts. A player who has had one round under 68 all year with no victories. A player who has competed in all of the world golf championships and majors, played mainly in America where the world ranking points are considerably higher than that of Europe and has failed to make the team through the world points system.

"No shame in that. Many had the same chance and they failed too.

"There is always the European points list. Ian was high up in that list with one event to go, so high in fact he came into the last counting tournament with a more than realistic chance of making the automatic top ten. A good effort considering he has only two top tens all year.

"A private jet from his sponsors in America and in a few hours he could have sniffed the River Tay air having landed in Dundee. In just over half an hour, a limo would have him admiring the perfect lawns lovingly manicured by the staff of the Gleneagles Hotel.

"He boarded that jet...and headed for the wheelbarrow event that is part of the FedEx Cup. Poor? I think so, but then why would you cross the Atlantic when you are already in the team? Please don't expect me to believe that wasn't the case."

Murray revealed that he shared more than one bottle of wine with Clarke as they consoled each other on Sunday night.

He said: "On the third bottle, we raised a toast to the future. The targets this year remain the same as back in January, top 15 in the order of merit and top 50 in the world. He will make both of these goals and next year he will return to the big events he has enjoyed in the past."