Former Open Champion, Darren Clarke will contest his first regular PGA Tour event in over two years after accepting an invitation to contest next month’s 50th anniversary RBC Heritage.
Clarke is among five invitees, including double event winner Boo Weekley, who will contest the $6.7m event commencing on April 12th on the Harbour Tour course at Hilton Head, South Carolina.
It will be Clarke’s first appearance in a regular PGA Tour event since teeing-up in in the 2016 Valspar Championship on Florida’s west coast, and accepting also an invitation as the then European Ryder Cup Captain.
However, since then Clarke has competed more on the MENA Tour than other tour, including the European Tour.
Clarke’s invitation into the RBC Heritage has been helped by his ownership of Darren Clarke’s Tavern, a steak house located close the main entrance to the tournament venue.
The now 49-year old Northern Irishman has not competed in the RBC Heritage since 2006 when he missed the cut.
Others to receive invitations aside from Clarke and Weekley are Johnathan Byrd, Philip Knowles and Dru Love, the towering son of Davis Love 111 who led his USA Team to victory over Clarke’s men at Hazeltine.
They join a field that includes defending champion and South Carolina Native Wesley Bryan, and Team RBC Ambassador and number one ranked player in the world Dustin Johnson.
Team RBC Ambassadors and past champions Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar, Graeme McDowell and Brandt Snedeker will also be competing at Harbour Town.
Dru Love’s debut in the event will be a first time three generations have competed at Harbour Town. His grandfather played in the first tournament in 1969 and again in 1970 while his father, Love 111 is a five-time winner at Hilton Head.
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