Darren Clarke joins an elite ‘club’ of just 25 members to have competed in 500 European Tour events when he tees up in this week’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
In fact, Clarke now joins three other Irish-born players in Eamonn Darcy (610), Des Smyth (594) and Paul McGinley (545) to have teed-up in 500 Tour tournaments.
Darren Clarke becomes 25th player to tee up in 500 Tour events. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
Clarke made his European Tour debut as a then amateur in the 1990 Carroll’s Irish Open at Portmarnock and won by Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal.
The then 21-year old Clarke qualified having beaten beaten Padraig Harrington in the final of the final of nd Irish Amateur Close championship and having beaten Padraig Harrington in the final at Baltray to qualify for the Irish Open.
“I was an amateur back then and all I can remember about the week only was playing alongside Sam Torrance and D. J. Russell the first two rounds, and they’ve now come to be lifelong friends,” said Clarke.
“I also made the cut, so I was pretty pleased with myself.”
In fact, Torrance is here this week in Doha commentating for SKY Sports and recalled that week in June over 27 years ago.
“I asked Darren when he was considering turning pro and he said he was waiting to after the Walker Cup the following year,” said Torrance.
“I told him he was mad and that his game was good enough to turn pro immediately and he did, so I like to think I had a hand in shaping his career.”
Clarke remarked: “Yes, I took Sam’s advice and played in a few Challenge Tour events out in Africa before competing the rest of ’91 on the main Tour where I’ve been since.
“But when it was mentioned to me the other day this is my 500th event I couldn’t remember if I’ve played 300, 400 or 600.
“It’s nice to be honoured but then it also just shows I’m old.”
