THE TURESPANA Masters starts at Maspalomas in Gran Canaria today with Seve Ballesteros hoping to end his poor run on a course where he was runner up to Sweden's Jarmo Sandelin in the Open de Canarias two years ago.

Ireland's Darren Clarke, who is currently fourth in the Ryder Cup standings, is hoping to add substantially to his points tally of 201,379 this week, although he will be trying to do it without the benefit of a practice round,.

Clarke was given permission to make a late arrival because his wife was not well at the weekend, and he will tee off, today with favourite Jose Maria Olazabal without up to date knowledge of the seaside course.

Padraig Harrington, who had a two day session with coach Howard Bennett after missing his first cut of the year in Portugal, and a refreshed Philip Walton will be just behind him, alongside Spanish Ryder Cup hopeful Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Harrington said: "Howard checked me, over and we found that my grip had become too strong, and that my posture was poor".

Walton commented: "I pulled out of Portugal because I felt very tired in Morocco. I went home to re group and now I am fine".

Christy O'Connor Junior has been having extensive laser treatment on his left elbow and is doing exercises in a bid to strengthen it. "I can lift 30lbs more with my right arm and that is too much," he said. "The difference should be only 15lbs." He is now wearing a similar arm support to Harrington.

David Higgins, Raymond Burns and Des Smyth are also in the field challenging favourite Olazabal, who is playing his third comeback event. He was 12th in Dubai, and fourth in Lisbon. The bookmakers make him 12-1 to win the £58,330 top prize here, before he takes a week's break and then heads for the New Orleans Open, followed by his return to Championship golf in the US Masters the following week.