ESPN.com - Golf Online - Masters 2000 - Tiger tamer loaded with confidence

By Walter Bagley
Reuters
Thursday, April 6

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Darren Clarke, one of the few golfers who has been able to turn back Tiger Woods, has come to Augusta with a new attitude toward The Masters.


	Darren Clarke has six wins on the European Tour in addition to his recent Match Play title.

"I am here this week as a contender," the 31-year-old native of Northern Ireland said before a practice round for his third Masters. "Before when I came here I thought I could compete; now I know I can."

The main reason for Clarke's optimism was his convincing victory over Woods in the 36-hole final of the Andersen Consulting World Match Play Championship in February.

"He is unquestionably the best player in the world, but it doesn't mean he is unbeatable," Clarke said of Woods, who has won 11 of the last 17 tournaments he has entered.

Clarke was asked why he was able to prevail over the 24-year-old Woods while so many others seem to be totally intimidated by him.

"You have to play really well to have a chance of winning," Clarke said of playing Woods, who is heavily favored to win his second Masters this week.

"It is a matter of accepting the challenge of playing your best, and some players don't want to accept that challenge."

Clarke, however, is hoping he gets the chance to go up against the 1997 Masters champion in the final on Sunday.

"I'd love to play him again. I know I've already beaten him," said Clarke, who uses the same instructor as Woods, Butch Harmon, son of 1948 Masters champion Claude Harmon.

"Tiger has set the benchmark for all of us. We're just following in his slipstream," said Clarke, who loves fast cars. "But I'd love the opportunity of playing against him on Sunday."

Clarke said, however, that he had set no goals for himself at Augusta, where he tied for eighth in his 1998 debut but missed the cut in 1999.

"All the majors are special, but this one is very special," Clarke said. "We'd all love to win here."


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