Darren Clarke has not given up hope of a late invitation to the US Masters

Darren Clarke returns to action at the Honda Classic hoping to claim a late invitation to the US Masters in April.

Clarke, currently 75 in the world, needs to break into the top 50 a week before the Masters or win a US Tour event to guarantee a place at Augusta.

The Ulsterman is making his first appearance at the Classic in Palm Beach which starts on Thursday.

"I know I have to pull something pretty special out of the hat to catch the eye," Clarke told the Irish Times.

"But it will not be for the lack of trying if I am not to be on the grid for the first major championship of the year."

Three Irish players are already in the Masters field - Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington who is attempting to win a third successive major.

Clarke, Harrington and McDowell are entered in the WGC-CA Championship in Doral the week after the Honda Classic.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old McIlroy is to play a couple of rounds at Augusta National in late March to help him get to know the Masters course before the Masters on 9-12 April.

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