Ireland's Big Three could become the Big Two for this week's Smurfit Irish PGA Championship in Westport.

While Paul McGinley and Padraig Harrington are certain to play, Dungannon's Darren Clarke is doubtful after aggravating a knee injury in the Seve Trophy win at Druids Glen.

Clarke, Harrington and McGinley were the stars of Britain and Ireland's 14 1/2 - 11 1/2 win over the Continent of Europe, taking eight points out of a possible eleven.

But Clarke's decision to play in all five rounds over three days could cost him his chance to win the Irish PGA title for the second time

The Dungannon man's right knee has been giving him trouble since the US Master at Augusta and he rates his chances of playing in Mayo at less that 80 percent.

Said Clarke: "I've been having physiotherapy on my right knee since the week of the Masters. I'm told there is some inflammation under the ligament and it's quite sore.

"I really want to play in Westport but I don't know yet if I'll be able to play. I've had heavy strapping on it every day and we'll have to take it one day at a time between now and then. I'll certainly try to play."

Clarke's 4 and 3 win over Thomas Bjorn was just one of three great Irish wins yesterday.

Padraig Harrington beat a disappointing Jose Maria Olazabal 3 and 2 to clinch the winning point for Colin Montgomerie's side while Paul McGinley won four holes on the trot from the 10th to eventually see off Swede Mathias Gronberg by 4 and 3.

Harrington and McGinley finished with four wins apiece out of five while Clarke added yesterday's singles win to two victories in partnership with Lee Westwood.

"Paul and Padraig have been magnificent this week," said Monty. "To win four points out of a possible five at home with the pressure on them is a tremendous effort and the support they had from the Irish crowd just added to the atmosphere."

But it wasn't always easy for Clarke against tour pal Bjorn in yesterday's singles.

One down after two, the Dane levelled the match with a birdie at the third and then nudged ahead at the fifth where Clarke ran up a bogey six.

But Clarke stormed back, hitting his approach at the par three eighth to just three feet before holing for a birdie three at the ninth to go one up.

Another birdie at the long 11th but Clarke two up and Bjorn never looked like getting back into the match.

The Ulsterman hit a pitching wedge to three feet for a win at the 14th and took the match with a par at the next where Bjorn three-putted.

Said the Dane: "Darren kept it together well. I lost to a better player today, simple as that."

Harrington was never behind in his battle with Olazabal as the Spaniard failed to show the spark of previous days.

The Dubliner won the first in par and although he lost the second to a par three, he then reeled off three wins on the trot to take a stranglehold on the match.

Said Olazabal: "I could never get going today and against a player as talented as Padraig you are always going to struggle."

The Spaniard won the sixth and eighth but lost the seventh in between to a par four and to be two down at the turn.

Despite cutting the gap to just one hole with a fine three at the 10th, Olazabal lost the 11th to a par at the 12th to a birdie two from Harrington to go three down and never recovered.

McGinley lost the first but then won the fourth, fifth and sixth to go two up and cruise to a comfortable win.

And the Dubliner was delighted to get some team matchplay experience under his belt before his Ryder Cup debut in September.

"It was as no lose situation for me here this week. This is the first time I've played a team event. I can opnly win out of this situation. I'm just pleased that it could go ahead and even more pleased that it was in Ireland.

"I'm grateful for the experience I have and I'm sure it will stand me in good stead come September."

(Great Britain and Ireland names first)

Montgomerie lost to Ballesteros 1 hole
Clarke bt Bjorn 4/3
Casey lost to Jimenez 4/3
Lawrie lost to Karlsson 1 holes
Oldcorn halved with Fasth
Westwood bt Jacquelin 3/2
Harrington bt Olazabal 3/2
McGinley bt Gronberg 4/3
Webster lost to Levet 2/1
Woosnam lost to Cejka 5/4.
Single result: Britain and Ireland 4 1/2; Continent of Europe 5 1/2

Match result: Britain and Ireland 14 1/2; Continent of Europe 11 1/2

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© Brian Keogh 2002

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