DARREN CLARKE earned a huge €3 million payday when he claimed the 140th British Open at Royal St George’s Golf Club in England yesterday, but, for a man who lost his wife, Heather, to breast cancer five years ago, becoming a Major champion meant more than any financial remuneration.
“In terms of what’s going through my heart, there’s obviously somebody who is watching down from up above there. And I know she’d be very proud of me. She’d probably be saying, ‘I told you so’,” said an emotional Clarke, whose two sons – Tyrone and Conor – stayed at home in Portrush, Co Antrim, to watch their father’s victory on television.
Clarke’s win continued a remarkable run of success for Ulster golfers, as he became the third player from Northern Ireland to win Major championships inside the past 13 months. Graeme McDowell won last year’s US Open at Pebble Beach and Rory McIlroy claimed that same trophy with a record-breaking win at Congressional last month.
“They told me to get my finger out and try and win one myself,” recalled Clarke of the encouragement given him to follow suit at a party to celebrate McIlroy’s win. Clarke proved that actions were stronger than words in claiming golf’s oldest major by a margin of three shots over runners-up Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson of the United States.
Clarke’s parents, Godfrey and Hettie, and fiancee Alison Campbell, joined in the victory celebrations. “It’s been a long journey to get here. I’m 42 and not getting any younger. But I’ve got here in the end,” he said.
The golfer earned almost €1 million in prizemoney but also scooped €2.3 million from one of his sponsors Dunlop for winning a Major.