GOLF/Dubai Classic: They say golfers aren't superstitious , but Darren Clarke was taking no chances. On the last occasion he was seen wearing the same dazzlingly bright red shirt, the Irishman was making a quick exit from La Costa after a quarter-final defeat to Peter Lonard in the World Matchplay.

Yesterday was pro-am day at the Dubai Desert Classic, and Clarke wore the red shirt so that it wouldn't form any part of his wardrobe during tournament play.

Superstitious or what? These days, though, Clarke is placing more faith in his mental and physical game plan than in superstition. He has returned to Butch Harmon - and has even been fitted with a swanky new computer and video camera that allows him download shots of his swing to his coach - and, after last season, which he described as "not much fun", has shown signs of a rejuvenation in recent weeks.

A week before reaching the quarter-finals of the matchplay, Clarke secured a top-10 finish in the Los Angeles Open at the Riviera Club and has arrived in Dubai with his spirits raised. "At the moment, I'm quite happy with what I'm doing." He has also switched to a new TaylorMade driver and that, as well as using the Titleist Pro V-x ball, has enabled him to add 25 yards onto his drive.

More important than the distance, Clarke observed "it is going straight most of the time". Clarke believes his improved form is down to a combination of a better mental attitude and also the new equipment which he is using.

"You can't have one without the other," he observed. "If you haven't got the right equipment, then you can't get strong mentally. For me, because I have got great equipment, I am getting more confident."

Clarke has been handed a close-up view of favourite Ernie Els for the first two rounds. He has been drawn with Els and Arjun Atwal for the opening two rounds.