Clarke pushes breast cancer awareness in Dubai Open

MANILA, Philippines - Major champion Darren Clarke is teeing up at the inaugural Dubai Open with the intention of making a difference in the lives of women in the UAE.

The Ulsterman will be wearing a breast cancer awareness badge on his collar this week at the Els Club Dubai in hope of raising more awareness amongst the women in the UAE where 28 percent of female deaths have been due to breast cancer.

With his wife Heather succumbing to breast cancer in 2006, Clarke is keen to play a role while in Dubai for the final tournament of the 2014 Asian Tour season.

“Well, first and foremost, I’m here because of David Spencer and Mohamed Juma Bumaim (strategic adviser and vice chairman of golf in Dubai, respectively). They have been friends of mine and they kindly asked me to come along and play,” said Clarke.

“Golf in Dubai do such a wonderful job with all the tournaments they manage, the Ladies, the Dubai Desert Classic, this one and the Mena Tour. And for different reasons as well; our foundation is actively involved in breast cancer and I’m trying to promote that.

“Spenny gave me an interesting stat last night. He said 28 percent of female deaths in the UAE die of breast cancer, and that’s an amazing stat and that will be reduced by 50 percent with early detection. I’ve got my breast cancer awareness badge, it’s over there (collar). It’s something close to my heart for obvious reasons and it’s because of efforts that Spenny and Mohamed do that make that difference. I’m here because I want to support them because they have supported me throughout my career.”

The 2011 British Open winner is eager to put on a strong showing at the immaculate Els Club Dubai against the stars from the Asian Tour despite a lack of success in recent times. The 46-year-old Ulsterman said he still had the desire to compete at the highest level, while also enjoying playing the mentor role to young golfers such as stablemate Tommy Fleetwood of England.

“In terms of what I want to do, I want to play. I love the game and I hate the game. Of late, I’ve hated the game a bit more than I love the game but that’s the game of golf. That’s professional sport. It’s not always pitching up in beautiful venues such as here and going out and having a good time on the golf course.  It’s our job and sometimes we love it and sometimes we don’t,” he said.

“You play well and it’s brilliant; if you struggle a little bit, it’s not so much fun but you have to keep battling on for the good times. That’s why I’m still doing it because I love the game and I always will love the game.

“It’s great to have an opportunity where I can maybe offer the likes of Tommy a bit of advice, only because I’ve been through it all, seen every coach in the world, even every mental coach, I think I’ve destroyed 90 percent of them!

“I’ve seen everybody there is to see at this stage of my career, and it’s nice to give back, especially somebody of Tommy’s talent coming through who is, as I say, going to be another superstar, so to be able to help him is great.  So if he listens, he’ll be fine!” said Clarke.