Darren Clarke confessed he’s rid his wardrobe of more than a hundred items of clothing as part of a new fitness regime.
The former burly 2011 Open Champion was nearly unrecognizable as he belted balls in sauna-like conditions on a makeshift practice ground in Durban ahead of this week’s $4m Volvo Champions event.
In fact, Clarke’s has already shed more than three stone since a chance meeting last September with Jamie Myerscough who runs the Educogym in Dublin.
BEFORE – Darren Clarke chatting with Chubby Chandler during last June’s Irish Open. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“It all started when I hosted agol f day for the Duke of Abercorn at Rockmount Golf Club outside of Belfast, and it was a fundraiser for the Royal Irish Rangers and the Royal Irish Guards,” said Clarke.“One of the Duke’s guests was a guy called Jamie Myerscough, who owns the Educogym in Dublin.
“I got speaking to Jamie on the way around the course and he said ‘right, I’ll help you’.
“So I started with Jamie and it’s a pretty short program but using very heavy weights, and obviously, my food has changed, supplements, all that carry on which I haven’t really done before.
“Now some five to six mornings a week at 7am I get onto Facetime and talk with Jamie based in Dublin from my gym at home.
“In short time I’m already twice as strong because most people who lose weight, they lose strength, as well. So I’ve gone the other way. I’ve lost weight and gone twice as strong.”
NOW – Darren Clarke sweats it out on the practice range in the shadow of the Sharks Super-14 home ground.(Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
In fact, the trimmer-looking Clarke, who was allowed a few pints of the ‘black stuff’ over Christmas, is also hitting the ball a little longer off the tee.
And new caddy Andy Sutton, who bizarrely had caddied for American Ben Curtis when he captured the 2003 British Open and the last time before Clarke won at Royal St. George’s, remarked: “Every time we are in between clubs, we now go for the lessor club.”
Clarke will play the opening Durban round with Italian Open champion, Julien Quesne of France and is bursting out of his skin to take his new frame into competition.
He said: “I could always play, whether I’m fat or thin but hopefully, I just may have more good weeks when I’m a little bit thinner.
“I wouldn’t say I’m thin but a few more good weeks competing at this size I am now should be good because, despite this heat, I don’t feel fatigued given also I’ve had very little golf as the weather has not been all that great back home.
“So the good aspect this week is that we have four guaranteed rounds and while the swing is a little bit rusty I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing.”
And while Clarke’s dropped off bags full of now oversize clothing to the local Portrush charity shop he has kept a few precious items of apparel including the shirt and trousers he wore more than two years ago to Open Championship glory.
