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Darren’s Royal command performance at the Open!

20/07/2011
 



DUNGANNON'S Darren Clarke is the 2011 British Open champion!
The Tyrone golfing maesto shot a final round of 70 at Royal St George's on Sunday evening to finish five under par to lift the famous Claret Jug and the title by a three shot margin over chasing Americans, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson.

And following a nail-biting climax to a tremendous week of golf, an emotional Darren Clarke immediately dedicated the victory to his sons, Tyrone and Conor.

Clarke, playing in his 20th Open Championship, is only the second Northern Ireland player to win the Open, following in the footsteps of the great Fred Daly who won it way back in 1947.
And you have to go back to 1999 to find the last UK winner of the title, Paul Lawrie.

But the 2011 British Open title belongs to Darren Clarke and deservedly so.

The 42-year-old, who remained calm and composed over the final 18 holes, and indeed throughout the competition, finished the four-day event with a total score of 275.

Dropped shots at the last two holes on the final day prevented him from shooting all four rounds in the 60s - a feat that has only ever been achieved by five other players in the history of the Championship.
This was Darren's day and even a series of squalid showers accompanied by strong cross winds couldn't put a damper on proceedings.

The final round on Sunday got off to a good start when he saved par with a magnificent putt from all of 15ft at the first hole. He followed that up with a birdie at the second and even managed a superb eagle on the par five seventh.

Mickelson and Johnson remained in contention throughout the afternoon which heightened the tension for the many supporters of Clarke, who was cheered and applauded loudly as he strode confidently around the course.

It was this air of confidence and the relaxed manner of his game which undoubtedly helped to secure victory for the smiling Clarke. He seemed so much in control and looked as though he was thoroughly enjoying the occasion.

Of course there were a number of nerve-tingling moments on the final run-in, when he managed to avoid the threat of bunkers, but his game had looked solid all week.

And on the one occasion when he did find a bunker, he played brilliantly out of it!

His father, Godfey, his mother, Hetty and his fiancee, Alison Campbell, were all waiting at the 18th hole to witness Darren's moment of glory. He even had the luxury of a three putt at the last - his final shot a mere tap in before he celebrated by repeatedly punching the air.

The smile said it all - Darren Clarke, 2011 British Open Champion!
Speaking afterwards he said: " It's just incredible. I'm a bit speechless. Over the last couple of holes I was trying not to make any stupid mistakes and just play really carefully."

Darren also paid an emotional tribute to his late wife Heather, whom he lost to cancer five years ago: "It's been a long and bumpy road, I have had some good things happen to me and some bad things but I've had so much support from an awful lot of people.
"I'd like to thank my parents and my fiancee, Alison, and there's someone up there watching as well. To everybody, thank you very much."

He now joins fellow Ulstermen, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy as a true Master of the game.
Before the British Open win he was way down the rankings listed 111th in the world.

He has now moved up to number 30 in the rankings and guarantees himself a place in all Majors for at least the next five years.
And Darren Clarke has made it clear that he doesn't intend for it all to end here!

Source: Tyrone Courier
Wednesday 20th July 2011

 

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