Darren Clarke should be included in the European Ryder Cup team for September''s competition, according to Ping golfer Lee Westwood.
The Ulsterman remains outside the automatic qualifying places but boosted his chances of receiving a wildcard from captain Nick Faldo by tying for sixth at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last week.
Westwood, who finished two shots ahead of Clarke to take joint-second at Firestone, has backed his friend to catch Faldo''s eye again at this week''s US PGA Championship.
He said: "I think Darren epitomises the saying that form is temporary but class is permanent.
"We need players like him in the Ryder Cup team … If he can put together a consistent month, his claims would be impossible to ignore."
Oakland Hills, the venue for this week''s Major, should hold fond memories for both Clarke and Westwood. The Michigan course hosted the 2004 Ryder Cup, with Colin Montgomerie holing the winning putt to clinch victory for Bernhard Langer''s European side.
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