Darren Clarke, the 2016 European Ryder Cup captain, has confirmed his participation in next week’s Dubai Creek Open in a major boost for the MENA Tour event.

Clarke, who is also the MENA Tour patron, will join defending champion and Dubai Creek prodigy Rayhan Thomas in a strong starting line-up, blazing with the ranks for 15 winners on the tour at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club where the popular Ulsterman jointly holds the course of a 63 with Lee Westwood and Australia’s Benjamin Eccles.