Popular Darren Clarke ended a 20-year wait to win golf’s oldest Major – the Open Championship.
Clarke became only the second Northern Irishman since Fred Daly in 1947 to lift the Claret Jug.
A smiling Darren Clarke with a pint of the 'black stuff' and the gleaming Claret Jug. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
And the 42-year old did it in grand manner recording a final round 70 to win by three strokes with a five-under par tally.
The American pair of Phil Mickelson (68) and Dustin Johnson(72) were tied second on two under par.
But it was a day belonged to Clarke and didn’t the public take to the Portrushman.
From the moment he stepped on the first tee to the time he walked down the final fairway, Clarke was the overwhelming crowd favourite and not in a long while has a new champion been received so well.
“It’s pretty amazing right now, as it’s been a dream since I’ve been a kid to win The Open, like any kid’s dream is, and I’m able to do it,” said Clarke.
“So it just feels incredible, incredible right now.”
Clarke arrived in Kent a 175/1 outside and with his first Major win he moves to No. 30 in the world and now 8/15 favourite to be named ‘BBC Sportsperson of the Year’.
He earns an Open exemption to age 60 along with a five-year exemption into the U.S. Masters, U.S. Open and U.S. PGA Championship.
Clarke also will be afforded ‘Honorary Life Membership of the European Tour’.
Remarkably, Clarke follows fellow Northern Irelander Rory McIlroy as a Major Champion while it’s the third Major winner from Northern Ireland in the space of six Majors after Graeme McDowell captured the 2010 U.S. Open.
2011 Open Championship - Final leader board. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
And if you also count Padraig Harrington, Ireland has won six of the past 17 Majors.
“I don’t know why Northern Ireland is producing so many Major Champions,” said Clarke.
“We’re blessed to have two fantastic players in Rory and G Mac, and I’ve just come along, the old guy, and I guess I’ve got lucky.
“We have fantastic golf courses, we have fantastic facilities, but to have three Major Champions from a little small place in a short period of time, it’s just incredible.”
And there was lucky omen for Clarke right from the outset this week with Clarke’s caddy, John Mulrooney revealing that Clarke had been allocated Greg Norman’s locker upon arrival at Royal St. George’s.
Norman captured the second of two Open Championships in 1993 at Royal St. George’s.
“Tom Watson said to Darren it could be a lucky locker for us,” said Mulrooney as he tightly clutched the 18th hole flag.
“It made a massive difference getting that locker.”
Look now what a massive difference winning a first Major will do for Darren Clarke.
