Another Irish Man Wins a Major Golf Open

July 17, 2011

Darren Clarke kept his nerve to clinch his maiden major title with a three-shot victory in the Open at Royal St George’s.

The 42-year-old Northern Irishman fired a final-round 70 to finish five under to hold off Americans Phil Mickelson (68) and Dustin Johnson (72).

Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn ended on one under after a 71 with American trio Rickie Fowler (72), Chad Campbell (69) and Anthony Kim (70) on level par.

Clarke, playing in his 20th Open Championship, becomes only the second Northern Irishman to win the Open after Fred Daly in 1947.

And he follows in the footsteps of countrymen Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell who both won their first majors at the US Open this year and last, respectively.

Clarke led by one from Johnson going into the last round and he showed complete control of his emotions as he smiled his way to the Claret Jug at the 20th attempt.

On a day of sunny periods and fierce squalls, Clarke picked up a shot at the second, handed it back at the fourth, and then eagled the long seventh to reach the turn at seven under for a two-shot lead over Mickelson.

source: bbc

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