DARREN DELIVERS DREAM DOUBLE
IRISH eyes were smiling in the gloom of Gleneagles last night when Darren Clarke completed the Open and Senior Open double.
Clarke became only the fourth player to achieve the feat after Tom Watson, Gary Player and Bob Charles.
But there was heartbreak for Padraig Harrington when he missed out on a play-off by a shot after a stunning back nine containing six birdies for a 67 to reach nine under.
Ulsterman Clarke, 53, was forced to endure a nervejangling final round lasting over six hours after a deluge turned the King’s Course into a swimming pool. The 2011
Open champ was clinging on to a one-shot lead over Argentina’s Maurico Molina and Doug Barron of the US, safely in the clubhouse on eight under after 65s when play was suspended.
Clarke still had five to play but following his restart he arrived at the 18th needing a birdie for victory which he delivered for a 69 and 10 under to claim the £370,000 top prize. Clarke said: “This is the one I wanted to win more than anything when I turned 50. I wanted the two Claret Jugs side by side and I feel very privileged to see my name go alongside the legends of the game.”