Oh nice! Sorry I didn't even realize that was the issue, I should've looked more closely. Most of those springs do come already open at the ends enough to hook to each other.
First you hook the ends together, THEN you slide it over the clutch shoes. This is easier if you put the clutch shoes on the flywheel first.
Hook it into the groove on the clutch shoes, then you should be able to just stretch it around the shoes with your thumb.
Make sure the "hooks" are...