Darren Clarke has been handed a boost in his bid to secure a place in Colin Montgomerie’s European Ryder Cup side (Europe 4/7, USA 7/4, Tie 9/1 – Ryder Cup) later this year as he has been invited to the USPGA Championship for the second year running.

The 41-year-old Northern Irishman is down in 21st position on the points table and is aware that a positive outcome at this week’s 3 Irish Open in Killarney (Clarke 35/1 Tournament Outright) could see him move into the crucial top-nine places.

However, Clarke has now been handed another opportunity for Ryder Cup points with an invite to feature at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin for the USPGA Championship.

Clarke is already one of Montgomerie’s vice-captains for the battle against the United States at Celtic Manor in the first weekend of October, but he desperately wants to be playing.

“Yes I will play if I qualify,” said Clarke.

“I think Monty will want me to if I do. I think Thomas and Paul will too. There’s no question about that. If I do play well in the events I have left I possibly could give him a bigger headache. We shall see.

“We spoke at length about it and Monty said that he wants me there one way or the other.

“Right now as it stands I’m outside the team and I’m delighted to be part of his backroom staff.”