Ryder Cup captain Clarke calms Stenson injury concerns

Jul 28, 2016; Springfield, NJ, USA; Darren Clarke on the fourth hole during the first round of the 2016 PGA Championship golf tournament at Baltusrol GC - Lower Course. Eric Sucar-USA TODAY Sports

LONDON (Reuters) - Europe captain Darren Clarke has allayed fears over the fitness of British Open champion Henrik Stenson ahead of next month's Ryder Cup defence at Hazeltine, Minnesota.

The Swede, who had surgery on his right knee at the end of last year, suffered a recurrence this week and was forced to pull out of The Barclays FedExCup series event in New York after shooting a three-over 74 in the opening round.