European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke ruled out concern of ‘meltdown’ as he continues a whirlwind two month, eight nation and three continent golfing crusade this week in Vietnam
Clarke jetted out of Sydney this morning local time (MON) bound for the inaugural Ho Tram Open ahead of also teeing-up in next week’s Asian Tour season-finale Thailand Masters outside of Bangkok.
Clarke had been mobbed at every turn by autograph and ‘selfie’ hunters at the completion of his Australian Open campaign of a last round 76 to share 30th place behind Australia’s Matt Jones.
Darren Clarke heads to the scorer’s hut after a final round 75 at the 100th Australian Open.
The affable Northern Irishman ended his round with a rousing 15-foot birdie putt from behind the flag and minutes after finding his ball lying up against a pine cone a hole earlier that really tested the patience of the 47-year old in rattling up a triple bogey ‘7’.
“It was a nice way to finish with a birdie but I just got totally punished at 17 as I couldn’t move the pine cone as my ball was resting against it,” said Clarke.
“Then when I played my second shot the ball bounced off a tree and remained in the tree line but overall I played nicely for the four days, and I have really enjoyed the opportunity to come back to Australia and compete.
Darren Clarke signs his name under that of Rory McIlroy on a Northern Ireland county flag.
“So given how well I feel I am playing I am looking forward to be heading to Vietnam for a first time and then back to Almata Spring in Thailand where I’ve competed before.
“And despite what happened at 17 I am all right and I still want to play as I feel fresh and I’ve got plenty still in the tank.”
However Clarke’s journey north from Australia does continue a whirlwind few months for Europe’s Ryder Cup captain having competed in the Portugal Masters, attended the Royal Portrush 2019 Open Championship announcement, competed in a MENA Tour event in Dubai, returning to Kuala Lumpur to inspect next January’s host EurAsia Cup course, tee-up in the Turkish Airlines Open, attend Ryder Cup meetings in Dubai during the recent DP World Tour Championship and then travel to Sydney.
Darren Clarke mobbed all four days in Sydney by autograph and ‘selfie’ hunters.
“I have had a lot of my plate of late but I’ve got some great people around me so I’m fine but then I do have about three weeks off after Thailand to spend Christmas in the Bahamas with the family, so I’m looking forward to that,” he said.
“But then it’s back to Malaysia for the EurAsia Cup in January before starting to get well into the deep end with the Ryder Cup.”
And Clarke was heading to Asia with the Ryder Cup among his luggage having been instrumental in taking the gleaming gold trophy to Australia for a very first time, as will now be the scenario in journeying to Vietnam and Thailand.
