LONDON (AP) _ Heather Clarke, the wife of golfer Darren Clarke, died Sunday after a long battle with cancer. She was 39

Darren Clarke said he will continue his break from golf and Paul McGinley, a close friend of the Clarke family, said he also has withdrawn from this week's PGA Championship.

Throughout her illness, Heather Clarke insisted her husband continue playing, but he decided to stop after the British Open three weeks ago so he could be with her and their two children, eight-year-old Tyrone and five-year-old Conor.

``Heather's courage and bravery throughout the last two years when she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer has been an inspiration,'' Clarke said in a statement. ``Heather never complained once throughout her ordeal and we will all miss her greatly. She was a wonderful and enormously supportive wife, mother and friend.''

Darren Clarke, who did not announce any funeral details, said he will return to the game ``when he feels ready.'' He already had withdrawn from the PGA Championship.

McGinley said he withdrew so he could attend the funeral.

``Our two families are very much intertwined, obviously me and Darren out here, but Heather and (McGinley's wife) Ali were the best of friends and our kids are in the same class at school,'' said McGinley, who was playing at the KLM Open in the Netherlands.

``So it is a tough, tough time for us all. I don't know how I am going to concentrate today.''