GOLF: A miscellany by PAUL GALLAGHER

Porter and claret: Perfect props for a party

THESE northern Major winners know how to let their hair down when the occasion insists. It should come as no surprise to learn Darren Clarke hardly got a wink of sleep from the time he received the Claret Jug to his winning press conference yesterday. This, after all, is the individual who can down pints with the best of them.

Pints were an obvious theme to the aftermath of Clarke’s greatest golfing triumph to date. You sense it’s a party which has plenty left in the tank with the next round due to kick-off in Portrush later today.

This Guinness lark certainly knows how to get around. From presidents to princes, it appears the perfect prop when on public show. As for Clarke, he has long had an affinity with Arthur’s finest. Take the downing of a pint on The K Club balcony in 2006 while his diminutive Ryder Cup captain (Ian Woosnam) was snottering champagne on the masses below.

It remains to be seen if a drop of porter will find its way into the Claret Jug, but one thing’s for sure, Clarke and the crew will squeeze every last drop out of this party.

It was a point not wasted on his once prodigy and fellow Major champion Rory McIlroy who tweeted: “Just off the phone with the champion golfer of the year . . . He must have had a good one last night!!! Think he’s still drunk! Lol”

The US Open champion had earlier joked “Northern Ireland . . . Golf capital of the world!!” after Clarke’s win.

After winning the Iberdrola Open in May, Clarke was forced to take an Easyjet flight home (rather than a private jet) and bought everyone on board a drink. This time around the 42-year-old kept the press corps onside with champagne for all in the media centre at Sandwich.

Rory and Holly: Amicable split

RORY McIlroy played last week’s British Open having broken up with girlfriend Holly Sweeney. The US Open champion’s management company issued a statement last night saying: “Rory McIlroy’s long-time relationship with Holly Sweeney came to an amicable end before the Open.”

The pair had a period apart earlier in the year, but Sweeney (20) was at Augusta to greet him after he shot 80 in the final round.

She did not attend last month’s US Open, where he claimed his first Major title, but wrote on Twitter: “My fabulous boyfriend has played flawlessly all week! Drink up Northern Ireland, he’s done us proud! Champagne flowing .?.?. Sooo happy for the curly one! 1st major down, millions to go!”

Mind games: Rotella's way

WHEN Bob Rotella (left) talked about being unconscious he wasn’t referring to the inebriated state after a skinful down at the local. The influential American psychologist, who helped Darren Clarke clear the mental clutter at Sandwich, was instead looking for his man to hole more putts and stay positive. “We got him to go unconscious with his putting. Look where you want to go and hit it – make it in your mind,” explained the golf guru, who said getting Clarke to visualise success and stay relaxed helped him win.

"It's not just a win . . . . It's a life time victory"

"Great to see Darren Clarke this morning in the same shape as the Irish economy – Who said there were only 4 rounds in The Open?" – Fellow Nordie and funnyman Patrick Kielty

"Will done 2 Darren Clarke delighted for him an amazing performance." – It's hard to see AP McCoy ever losing the run of himself yet he was clearly delighted for the big man.

"New Open Champion Darren Clarke says 'I haven't had any sleep – the party ended 30 mins ago – and will continue when I get home!'" – BBC NI's Stephen "winker" Watson, who you sense will be following DC's every move to document another Major champion's journey home.

"Happy tears from this house to Darren Clarke. It's not just a win or a major win. It's a life time victory." – Former world number one Annika Sorenstam feeling the emotion of events at Sandwich.

"Has #Clarkey sobered up yet? >>no chance . . . I have the rest of the week off at home in Portrush, practicing and probably drinking a few pints with the 2011 Open Champ." – It could be sense of deja-vu for 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell, who appears set for more time on the high stool.

Pun and games

SOME of the puns played out in newspaper headlines across the water in the wake of Clarke’s win.

Well worth the weight – The Sun Claret Glug – Daily Mirror

Heaven Sent – The Star

Fairway to Heaven – Daily Mail

'It's for the kids' – Guardian

Golden Oldie – Daily Telegraph

Clarke toast of Sandwich – The London Times

Clarke proves the big man for the great occasion – London Independent