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Darren Clarke Wins the Open Champs At Age 42

10. Oct, 2011 0 Comments

Darren Clarke 2011 Open Champion

So much for having his best days behind him – Darren Clarke became the oldest Open champion since 1967 and sparked yet another party across Northern Ireland.

Just a month after Rory McIlroy became the youngest US Open winner since 1933 and a year after Graeme McDowell’s triumph in the same event, Clarke joined them in the major club with an astonishing performance at Sandwich.

The 42-year-old, 111th in the world and viewed more as a mentor for his 22-year-old compatriot McIlroy than a contender when they practised together last Wednesday, lifted the Claret Jug at his 20th attempt.

He did so by three shots from Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, extending America’s record barren spell in the four majors to six going back to Mickelson’s victory in last year’s Masters.

Clarke 140th Open Champ

“It’s incredible – it really is,” said Clarke, becoming emotional when mention was made of his two sons, left motherless in 2006 when his wife Heather died of breast cancer.

“It’s for the kids,” he added.

Nobody has ever waited so long and then won The Open, yet with a closing 70 in more wind and rain Clarke finished his 54th major with a five-under-par total of 275.

The former Ryder Cup star – hero of the 2006 victory six weeks after he lost his wife – could even enjoy the walk up the final fairway knowing the job was done.

He had just dropped a shot on the 17th and could even afford to three-putt the last for another bogey.

With that Clarke, with his two sons at home in Portrush, punched the air repeatedly, took his cap off and waved it to all parts and hugged caddie John Mulrooney.

“I’m a bit speechless,” Clarke stated. “The last couple of holes I was trying not to make stupid mistakes and just play really careful.”

He had just become £900,000 richer and at a stroke – or rather 275 of them – had moved back into the game’s top 30.