GOLF: As a mental fillip Darren Clarke's victory in the English Open yesterday could not have been more appropriately timed. This morning the Dungannon man boarded Concorde at Heathrow, destination New York and a date with Tiger Woods.
Clarke's victory over the Forest of Arden course should guarantee a positive frame of mind when he tees up in the US Open at Bethpage, New York. Golf's second major of the season starts on Thursday.
For now though, he can reflect on a job well done and his first tournament victory - the ninth of his career on the European tour - in 11 months. He defied foul weather and several challengers to win his third English Open title in four years.
He had three shots to spare, his superb closing 68 giving him the £133,330 first prize with a 17-under-par total of 271. Dane Soren Hansen was second and Phillip Price of Wales was joint second with France's Raphael Jacquelin.
Clarke was naturally delighted at his success. "I hit the ball very solidly all week. Conditions were horrible out there today and it was really difficult to make a proper swing. The last 11 months have been very frustrating but it is gratifying to have played as well as I did and finally won."
The mainstay of the Irishman's success was his long game, unerring accuracy from tee to green.
"I changed back to my Titleist driver and hit more fairways than I have done for a long time. I also hit quality iron shots and to be fair, had my fair share of horseshoes this week."
It is exactly these qualities plus a little better fortune on the greens that Clarke hopes to maintain when he travels to the US Open, salivating at the prospect of playing the first two rounds with his friend and pre-tournament favourite, Tiger Woods. "My game is pretty solid and if I can keep the driver going like that then I will give myself a chance."
Bethpage Park - at 7,214 yards the longest course ever used for the US Open - makes for a formidable task. Clarke will not be distracted by his playing partner of this week. He beat Woods in the World Matchplay final in California two years ago to take the million-dollar first prize by a 4 and 3 margin.
Clarke, who will be joined at Bethpage by Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley, was the only player in the world's top 30 taking part in the English Open and his class showed. He shared the first round lead with Australian Jarrod Moseley, the second round with Scottish rookie David Drysdale and the third with Jacquelin.
None of them could stay with him and the Irishman would gladly settle for a similar situation this week.
