Darren Clarke still proudly lays claim to being the first player to have competed at Castle Stuart, and host for this week’s Scottish Open, who then went onto the following week to win the British Open.
His good friend, Ernie Els was the second and heads to Muirfield next week as defending champion.
And while Clarke has struggled to show anywhere near the form that helped him lift the famed Claret Jug at Royal St. Georges there was is no denying his enthusiasm to become Ireland’s second double winning British Open champion in seven years.
Darren Clarke happy to be heading to next week’s Open Championship. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
“When I first came here to Castle Stuart in 2011 I played really, really well for the first two rounds but then I had a tough day on the Sunday,” he said.
“However I was flushing the ball well all week and I took that form down to Royal St. George’s so it would be great if I could again what I did two years ago.
“But whether my game is ready for a Major Championship next week I really don’t know. I’ve been practicing hard back home at Royal Portrush, so it’s not for a lack of trying.
“In competition this year, and for a long time now, I have been hitting the ball fairly well but not scoring well come Thursday.
“I’ve been throwing in loose shots here and there and that’s incredibly frustrating because my practice has been great.
“So I will just keep working hard and keep doing what I have been doing and hopefully one of these days it will all turn around for me with another victory.
“But there is one thing and no matter what my name will always be on that Claret Jug.
“That’s why I am looking forward so much to returning again to an Open Championship.”
Clarke had put his Mercedes Jeep on the Irish Sea ferry early this week for the fortnight stay in Scotland.
Amongst his clothing is some half-a-dozen pair of Ian Poulter designed Tartan trousers while in his golf bag is a new TaylorMade ‘prototype’ driver in his bag while he’s put a new shaft in his putter.
Clarke was certainly in an upbeat mode during yesterday’s Pro-Am firstly have a good ole conversation with Shane Lowry who teed off the ninth hole in the group behind Clarke’s team.
Clarke and Lowry head a field of 10 Irish in this week’s field including Damien McGrane whose long-time caddy, John Hort is retiring after this week’s event.
However if McGrane were to win the Scottish Open he will secure a place into next week’s British Open and with the Australian-born Hort spending one further week alongside McGrane.
