Clarke Wins Open; 1st Time Winner

by lee on 18. Jul, 2011 in Featured

Darren Clarke says he: “…is just a normal guy playing golf”, but on Sunday, the people’s golfer, won his first British Open by three shots.

Darren Clarke is a long time pro golfer, and has an extreme love for the game, but hasn’t been a major contender for the last 10 years. This all changed on Sunday, when he shot an even round 70 to finish just ahead of the charging Phil Mickelson who shot -2 (68).

Darren finished the tourney at -5 for a total 275 for the course. Phil & Dustin Johnson finished in a two-way tie of second at -2, followed by Thomas Bjorn (the day one leader) at -1.

Clarke, who just tried to finish solidly, had a bogey on each of the final two holes, but they ending up being meaningless. The back nine strategy was not to pressure himself into bigger mistakes, and just wanted to get the win.

Clarke said: “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… which just feels incredible.”

It was Clarke’s (a 42 year old Irishman) eagle on the 7th hole that gave him the boost that he needed to stay ahead of the field, and the confidence to know that he could finish the day holding the claret jug.

That’s exactly what he did, and the crowd loved it, which they showed with unending applause as he approached the 18th and during the ceremony.

image:smh/au