Darren Clarke is given a tough draw at World Match Play

Darren Clarke

Open champion Darren Clarke has been handed a tough draw in the group stages of the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortes in Spain.

Clarke's slide to 70th in the world means he is one of eight wild cards in the 24-man field drawn to play alongside the top 16 seeded players.

He has been drawn alongside with second seed Justin Rose and Robert Rock.

Graeme McDowell, seeded four, tees off with Robert Karlsson and Jbe Kruger.

Martin Kaymer, Justin Rose and Charl Schwartzel are the top three seeds ahead of McDowell at the tournament near Marbella.

After the round-robin matches, the top two in each group progress to the last sixteen.