Clarke in a practice round with Lee Westwood at Augusta

Clarke spent last week on a holiday in the Bahamas with his children and wife Heather, who was on a break from her chemotherapy cancer treatment.

"Golf's not as important. I'll see how I play," Clarke told the Irish Times.

"I've just had an unbelievable week with Heather and the kids. That's all that matters to me at the moment."

Clarke's normal Augusta practice routine would involve getting out on the course at six o'clock in the morning.

"This time, it is just get out of bed, hit some balls and go and practice.

She's alright at the minute Darren Clarke on his wife's health

"Don't get me wrong. I'd love to play well. I'ld love to give myself a chance to play well. It's just not the way I've been here before."

Heather's battle against cancer means Clarke's on-course tantrums have disappeared with life put firmly into perspective for the Dungannon man.

"'She's alright at the minute," added Clarke, who has produced some remarkable play, notably his third place at Bay Hill, considering his wife's health problems.

Clarke doesn't appear to be overly-enamoured with the much-publicised course changes at Augusta.

"Not quite the way, I would envisage.

"They've certainly toughened the course. Whether it's in a good way or a bad way, we'll have to wait and see."

Clarke reckons four 70s would take a lot of beating this week.

"That would be a great score. The course is going to get you sooner or later."