Darren Clarke has not competed at Gleneagles, and venue each year for the Johnnie Walker Championship, in four years but he’s now had a big change of heart.

After finishing well down the Gleneagles field in 2008 Clarke informed journalists in very ‘colourful’ terms what he thought of the Jack Nicklaus designed course.

However Nicklaus has since overseen recent changes to the Centennary venue that will host the 2014 Ryder Cup.

“My next event after the PGA is going to play Gleneagles,” he revealed after carding a third round 72 to remain at five over par.

“I know I’ve said in the past it wasn’ t my favourite course, but they’ve made some changes and I’m keen to see if it’s that much better.”

Clarke’s third round was a mix of three birdies and just as many bogeys, and he managed to end his round well before thunderstorms halted play at 4.50pm local time.

“I played nicely and I feel like it’s starting to come together,” said Clarke.

“I’m back on the right track, and that’s very encouraging.

“I’ve hit a lot of really good shots this week. I’ve still mad a few daft mistakes, but that’s probably not down to playing four rounds often enough.

“It was a good cut to make, because the conditions and the course are very tough. I’ve had to shape the ball, and I’ve done that well – hitting cuts and fades, and I could easily have been three or four under today.

“The putting has been OK too. But the big difference is probably my attitude. I’m not putting myself under quite as much pressure to perform.

“Maybe that changed after the Open, because I was able to draw a line under a year where I expected myself to play like a Major champion every week – every day, really.”