The backdrop to the NEC Invitational World Championship that begins in Seattle today has centred on the forthcoming Ryder Cup, or more specifically, the failure of eight of the Europeans to make the cut at the recent US PGA Championship.

Ireland's Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley were among that number and it was the Ulsterman who discussed the personal and wider ramifications of missing out in the season's fourth major with The Belfry contest looming in a little over a month.

Bogeys at the last two holes cost Clarke his place over the weekend. "It was hugely disappointing. I don't feel I am that far away from producing my best, but it's been like that all year and I haven't figured out why the results haven't come."

Of more immediate importance to Clarke and his quest for the $1 million first prize in Seattle - there is no cut - is a rather more painful problem. He dropped his suitcase on the big toe of his left foot and has lost half the nail. "I was just picking it up on Sunday to go from Minneapolis to New York for a company day. It's horrible and very painful. I'm hobbling about and I've got to be careful now that it does not get infected."

Conversation then strayed to the Ryder Cup and Europe's chances of regaining the trophy at The Belfry at the end of next month. Clarke is only one of two players - Sergio Garcia is the other - who have won a title this season, the Irishman's success coming at the English Open.

Time is clearly running out for some to find form before they arrive at The Belfry. But even if they don't Clarke believes there should be no panicking. "It's not great going into a Ryder Cup not playing well, but a lot of people have done that in previous matches and played great. I am sure the adrenaline of the Ryder Cup will lift people's games."

Likely partner Lee Westwood is one of the biggest worries, of course, after a second round 83 last week that was his worst score of a miserable season. European number one two years ago and fourth in the world in May last year, Westwood is now down to 144th in the rankings.

"I played with Lee in practice last week and he played nicely. But it didn't quite happen in the tournament. It was disappointing yet again for him, but he's won a lot of tournaments, he's been in the Ryder Cup twice before and I am sure the experiences will stand him in good stead.

"Matchplay is a completely different format. That's an obvious statement, but you can get away with making a few mistakes. In strokeplay everything's highlighted."

In Boston three years ago Clarke and Westwood beat Tiger Woods and David Duval, then the world's top two, in the opening day fourballs.

"Confidence is huge for everyone in this game. If you are on a good run your confidence gets better and better. If you are on a bad run it's a very elusive thing to find, but a couple of good scores would boost anyone's confidence. It's about tentativeness on the course. You don't quite commit to all your shots. You don't give enough thought to getting the ball in the hole.

"You are thinking about not making mistakes. You look up and see trouble. We're no different to amateur golfers when we have little confidence. But when we have plenty of it there is no danger, no water, just the flag."

Clarke is joined in Seattle by Padraig Harrington, rookie Graeme McDowell and McGinley.