PULLED MUSCLE DELAYS 500th APPEARANCE

DARREN DROPS OUT IN QATAR

 

FROM SKY SPORTS.COM

Darren Clarke has pulled out of the Qatar Masters because of injury.

The Northern Irishman was hoping to make his 500th European Tour appearance in the event, but a pulled muscle has presented him taking his place in the field.
The 45-year-old, who has lost more than three stone in weight in an attempt to recapture the form that saw him win the Open Championship in 2011, was due to play alongside Qatar defending champion Chris Wood and Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez in the first two rounds of this week's tournament.
Sweden's Jens Dantorp - who earned his card through the qualifying school last year - has replaced Clarke, who has failed to record a top-10 finish on the Tour since winning at Royal St George's two-and-a-half years ago.
Clarke is currently ranked 277th in the world rankings.