Darren Clarke captures Claret Jug

42-year-old claims maiden major triumph at Royal St George’s

Maiden major: Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke kisses the Claret Jug, his first major trophy at the age of 42

Darren Clarke captured the Open Championship at the 20^th time of asking thanks to a final round of 70 at Royal St George’s.

On a day of wild and erratic weather, Northern Irishman Clarke maintained his composure thanks to a superb display of putting that exuded the 42-year-old’s resolve to claim a maiden major title.

The overnight leader, Clarke began the day with a one-shot advantage over playing partner Dustin Johnson of the USA.

A clutch par putt from around 15 feet on the first green retained that gap for the leader, who soon moved two ahead when Johnson bogeyed the following hole.

The leaderboard beneath Clarke was as volatile as the conditions, with Phil Mickelson posting an incredible outward nine of 30 to momentarily tie Clarke for the lead on five-under-par.

However, an eagle reply from Clarke on the seventh combined with a series of missed putts for Mickelson on the back nine dropped the American left-hander back into the pack, and meant Clarke had a relatively comfortable route to lifting the claret jug.

On the final green the five-time Ryder Cup star had four putts for the championship, and standing over his third, on the lip of the hole, he paused and seemed to utter something to himself.

“I was talking to myself,” revealed Clarke. “It was nothing really. I can’t really remember what I said to myself at the time. I think I said something like, ‘you’ve done it at last.'”

“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, incredible right now.”

The Ulsterman’s first major victory has propelled him from 111^th to 30^th in the world rankings, and to 6^th in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai.

After the heroics of Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy in consecutive US Opens, Clarke’s triumph marked yet another major championship victory for Northern Ireland.

The country with a population of just 1.6m has now borne the last two major champions and three of the past six.

Clarke restated his commitment to attend the Irish Open at Killarney at the end of the month, though he did concede that the celebrations from Royal St George’s might impede his chances.

“I will be in Killarney,’ Clarke reiterated. “I may not be sober for the Irish Open, but I will be in Killarney.”

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered