Darren Clarke won the Asian Open in Shanghai last month

Rejuvenated Darren Clarke goes into this week's Irish Open saying that it's a tournament he is "desperate" to win.

Clarke went close to claiming the title two years ago and despite having little knowledge of this week's Adare Manor course in Limerick, he is optimistic.

"It's going to be a great week - especially on the back of all the Irish wins on tour recently," he said.

Those victories including Clarke's success in the Asian Open in Shanghai last month.

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That dramatic victory was Clarke's first European Tour win in five years and the Dungannon man is hoping to challenge again this week after having a relaxing few days off last week.

"I'm looking forward to it although I don't know the course that well because I didn't play last year when I was injured.

"I watched the event on TV last year and I played in JP McManus' pro-am here a few years ago. I believe the rough is not quite as severe as it was last year."

Clarke was desperately disappointed not to win the title at Carton House two years ago - as his late wife Heather was in the midst of her brave battle against cancer.

"I didn't finish it off but hopefully I can give myself a chance again this week."

After his wife's death, Clarke starred in the European Ryder Cup win at the K Club amid high emotion but the Northern Irishman suffered an inevitable reaction last year and his game slumped.

It was just a question of getting in my own way. That's what I was doing Darren Clarke

However "a lot of hard work" has enabled Clarke to get back to something like his best this season.

"I've always been a decent worker but the amount of time I have put in recently is a lot more than I've ever done before.

"It's been just that desire to get back up into the winners circle."

Despite his struggles last season, Clarke insists that he "never" doubled his ability to return to form.

"It was just a question of getting in my own way. That's what I was doing.

"I think my swing is probably better than it's ever been before technically.

"There's no reason why I can't keep on improving and starting winning more tournaments again and get myself back towards the top of those rankings again."

Clarke has opted out of the US Open qualifier at Walton Heath in two weeks to concentrate instead of playing in the Wales Open in order to chase Ryder Cup points.

Despite his win in China, Clarke is still outside the top 25 in the European Ryder Cup points list.