Darren Clarke drew on the inspirational words of British wartime hero Sir Winston Churchill to end a three-year winless drought and capture the Iberdrola Open in Majorca.
Clarke withstood the very blustery conditions along with an 11th hole double bogey to capture his 13th European Tour success but a first since the 2008 KLM Open.
Darren Clarke ends three-year winless drought to win Iberdrola Open. (Picture thanks to European Tour).
The 42-year old Northern Irishman carded a final round 69 to win by three shots and also be one of just two players to break par on the final day on the tight and testing Pula course.
England’s Chris Wood, who had led by three heading to the last day, and who was also chasing a first Tour success, slumped under the weight of a 76 to finish tied in second place on three under par with countryman and former Dutch Open winner David Lynn sho had a 70.
Clarke had arrived in Majorca having spent the past three weeks sunning himself in the Bahamas and while on the beach, he had taken to reading a number of motivational books including a book of famous quotes from some of the words greatest statesmen.
But it was the words of Churchill when the British PM visited London’s Harrow School in October, 1941 during the ‘Blitz’ that Clarke drew on to reign supreme in Majorca.
“I have been doing an awful lot of reading of late and I went out today with a quote in my head which was ‘Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never’,” said Clarke.
“It’s one of Wintson Churchill’s famous quotes and no matter what happened today, I was never going to give in.
“I said that to myself when I made a double on 11 but then I had two great up-and-down’s after that.
“So it feels awfully good right now to win again. It’s been three years since I last won, and I’ve had a few opportunities like in Bahrain earlier this year when I threw that away a little bit.
“I feel for Woody (Chris Wood) because I have been in that situation before, and also he’s a fellow management stable mate so hopefully his day will come.
“Also it’s been a very poignant week with Seve’s memorial service and we are here because of Seve Ballesteros, so it’s been fantastic to come here to his country and win with all the memories we have of Seve.”
And Clarke had a message for the locals during the presentation.
“To all the Spanish here,” he said. “I know you wanted a Spaniard to win this week but hopefully a drunken Irishman is a good second choice.”
Clarke was handed a first prize cheque of Euro 166,660 that has lifted him from 92nd to 35th on the Race to Dubai money list and earnings this year of Euro 261,380.
The last day on the Spanish holiday island was more like an episode of ‘Survivor’ with 19 players shooting over 80 and one posting a 90.
