Clarke keeps faint Ryder Cup hopes alive with 65

AKRON, Ohio (Reuters) - Britain's Darren Clarke gave his slim Ryder Cup hopes a welcome fillip by shooting a sparkling five-under-par 65 in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational third round on Saturday.

A veteran of the Europe's five matches against the United States, Clarke is relying on a captain's pick by Nick Faldo for this year's edition and knows he has to shine in his next three tournaments.

"If I do play well, if I do start playing well like I did today, I think I would be an addition to the team," Clarke told reporters after posting a four-under total of 206 at Firestone Country club.

"And if I don't play well, I would not be. I would not expect a pick. I just want to play as well as I can and see where it takes me.

"I'm a long way out of it at the moment and I need to show excellent form," added the Northern Irishman, who lies 25th in the Ryder Cup world points standings and 33rd in the European points table.

The top five players from the world points list on August 31 automatically qualify for Faldo's team, with the next five advancing from the European points list. Faldo will then add two captain's picks to compete the 12-man team.

PICK CONSIDERATION

"I've got four tournaments left and I need to play well in those," Clarke said after ending the third round four strokes off the lead. "If I do, he may consider me for a pick. If I don't, I'll be watching it on TV like everybody else."

The 39-year-old will be competing in next week's PGA Championship at Oakland Hills before returning to Europe for the Dutch Open and the August 28-31 Johnnie Walker Championship.

Although Clarke ended a five-year title drought on the European Tour by winning the Asian Open in April, he believes his game has suffered this season due to self-imposed pressure.

"All summer long, and probably the past three to four months, I've pushed and pushed and pushed and tried too hard and practiced too hard and worked too hard," he said.

"I've wanted to play too well too much, whereas now I'm just playing and enjoying it and seeing what that brings.

"And my putting seems to have improved," the 11 times European Tour winner added after totaling just 26 putts on Saturday. "It's really good to get back on to pure greens again, as good as these are, and start rolling in those four or five footers to save par.

"I haven't been making those this year and that puts me on the back foot straightaway, like anybody. I've gone back to my old method, wider stance and slightly higher hands."

The 37th Ryder Cup will be played at Valhalla Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky from September 19-21.

(Editing by Ken Ferris)