Home News Darren Clarke Lands Largest Catch & Declares Floundering Rory McIlroy Still Europe’s Top Fish

Darren Clarke Lands Largest Catch & Declares Floundering Rory McIlroy Still Europe’s Top Fish

10 years ago by Bernie McGuire Comments Off

After landing the biggest catch of his career, European Ryder Cup declared floundering Rory McIlroy is still Europe’s top fish.

Clarke was off the coast of the Bahamas last week as McIlroy, who led by three shots with a round to play, was lost overboard around the Blue Monster to finish two shots from victory in the the WGC – Cadillac Championship in Miami.

And while McIlroy did further cement his place in the European team, Clarke has no concerns whatsoever when it comes to Europe’s top fish.

1hr15mins to land this 38lb Permit today.3mins to revive in the water and it will fight another day @BFBonefishClub pic.twitter.com/DyhECME1RV

— Darren Clarke (@DarrenClarke60) March 5, 2016

“I have absolutely no qualms with Rory McIlroy whatsoever as he’s one of the best players in the world with enormous talent even in his little finger, so what happened to him on Sunday is just the nature of this game,” said Clarke.

“Rory will be fine. Rory, I’m sure will win his fair share of tournaments this year and if not even more before the end of the year.”

Clarke is returning to competition after a fortnight’s break to tee up in this week’s PGA Tour Valspar Championship on the Copperhead course at the Innisbrook Resort north of Tampa Bay.

And while McIlroy and former GB & I Walker Cup team-mate Danny Willett were last week cementing their place in Clarke’s Hazeltine side, Clarke was fighting for 75-minutes with a 38 lb Permit fish.

Darren Clarke keeps to his word and working for two hours on Tuesday on the Copperhead practice range.

“I’ve had a very heavy duty schedule in recent months and decided to take last week off fishing,” he said.

“It was a very big fish, a 38 lb Permit fish and ridiculously they are the hardest of the hardest fish to catch.

“It was a brilliant experience and it wore me out but it was also important to get it into the boat to revive it, and get it back into the water.

“And one of my lifetime goals was to catch a Permit fish, so I was really delighted.

“But then I was down in the Bahamas for last week also practicing as I am also playing Arnie’s event next week and I’m teeing up in the Masters, so I am not only just sitting on my arse on a boat fishing but continuing to work hard on my game.”