Golf: Darren Clarke's agent Andrew Chandler has claimed the Northern Irishman almost quit golf just months before his stunning success at The Open.

The 42-year-old Clarke secured his first major title at Sandwich after holding off the challenge of Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson by three strokes.

The celebrations that followed were, however, a far cry from Clarke's state of mind in April - with Chandler saying the Ryder Cup star had contemplated walking away from golf after a poor run of form culminated in a round of 81 in Morocco.

Chandler revealed he convinced Clarke to instead take a short break from the game - advice that has proved astute as he returned to win in Mallorca before his Open triumph.

"He was so low he thought about giving it up," Chandler told The Guardian. "It was the lowest I have ever seen him. He wasn't hitting the ball like he used to in Morocco, so I told him to take extra holiday.

"He went away for three weeks and came back refreshed."