Clarke a lock for Ryder Cup?

With Darren Clarke's win earlier today at the Dutch Open, several golf writers are already predicting that he is a sure thing for Nick Faldo's Ryder Cup team.  Tim Rosaforte of Golf World said on Sunday night's edition of Golf Central that he is a "virtual lock at this point."  And James Corrigan writes in tomorrow's Independent:

As one of the finest ball-strikers in the game, the timing of Darren Clarke has never been in doubt. And after yesterday's emphatic win at the Dutch Open it will go on being unquestioned for some time. Almost certainly by a Mr Faldo.

The Europe Ryder Cup captain could not have failed to be impressed by the Ulsterman's return to the winner's enclosure, just one week before he is due to announce his two wild cards for the match in Kentucky next month. While it is still possible for Clarke to move into the automatic qualifying positions with victory at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles this week, he has probably earned his place anyway.