Marc Warren tees up today in the US PGA in only his third US-based major, the 33-year-old Glaswegian joining three fellow Scots at the start of the 96th hosting of the championship in Louisville, Kentucky.

Again accompanying Warren is his wife, Laura, and 15-month-old son Archie, who has been in attendance at his father's past three major showings, a PGA Championship and the past two Opens.

A year ago Warren was the equal-fourth leading European in sharing 12th place at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York, while as an amateur he was a member of the victorious 2001 Walker Cup GB&I side.

"While I was over at college here in America, I played in the Walker Cup at Sea Island. So far in my career the chances to play in America have been few and far between but when I have done, I feel as though I've played okay," he said. "I'm excited to be back because I feel the courses suit my game a little bit. It's another massive event coming back off two big events - the Scottish Open and the Open - and I'm really looking forward to it.

"There's a few more run-offs around the greens here at Valhalla as opposed to going straight into heavy rough if you miss the green, so that gives you the chance to use a few different skills around the green and that may suit more of a European style of play."

Warren has competed in 18 events this season, his best finish being third behind Justin Rose at Royal Aberdeen. For the purists, Warren's scoring average this season is 71.42 while by way of comparison Rory McIlroy's is 69.68 in Europe and 70.3 on the regular PGA Tour.

But while Warren is streets away from being in the same class as the world No. 1 there's no questioning his determination that was again very evident at Royal Aberdeen, and also on display at Royal Liverpool where he was five-under par for the opening three days.

"I felt I took an awful lot from the recent run of events, having timed it perfectly to play well in both the Scottish Open and the Open," he said.

"I didn't have the weekend I was hoping for in the latter, but there were still a lot of positives.

"On the Saturday at Hoylake, I shot level par to keep myself in a decent position but on the Sunday I felt as though I didn't putt quite as well- that was the only difference really. It was a bit scrappy over the weekend compared to the Thursday and especially the Friday, when I felt really in control of everything I was doing.

"I was 12th going into Sunday, having felt I'd got the bad round out of the way, so I was excited going into the last round. It was my first taste of being in that position in the Open but I was in that situation in this event last year and ended up with a better finish. One of my main goals for the rest of the season is to secure one of the exemption spots for next year's Open."

Warren begins his quest for the Rodman Wanamaker Trophy at 9.25am local time (2.25pm UK time) in the company of the American duo of Russell Henley and David McNabb.

Making a play yesterday for a different category of prize, Darren Clarke likened Rory McIlroy to a runaway train that seemingly no-one can stop on route to victory this week in Kentucky.

The pair of Open champions were out on Valhalla early yesterday morning and with Clarke looking to win back the £20 he lost to McIlroy on the eve of the Open at Royal Liverpool.

But he went down to McIlroy by 2&1, the 2011 Open winner salvaging some pride when, after agreeing to 'double or quits' up the par-5 18th, Clarke holed a 10-foot eagle putt.

"How do you stop him - Rory's like a runaway train at present?" said Clarke. "He's playing fantastic. He's just flushing it. He's ripping it."