In just his 13th Senior Major appearance, Clarke became the first Ulsterman to win The Senior Open after a birdie at the 18th at Gleneagles to claim a one-shot victory. Clarke also became the fourth player to win both The Open and The Senior Open, joining an elite club that includes Bob Charles, Gary Player and Tom Watson.
His victory at Gleneagles came 11 years after his famous win at Royal St. George’s where he captured the Claret Jug in equally challenging weather holding off the challenge of Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.
A winner of 27 tournaments worldwide including a famous WGC-Matchplay Championship win over Tiger Woods in 2000 rating highly in his extensive list of achievements, which have also included three English Opens and a further World Golf Championships title.
The 148th Open was held at Royal Portrush. Home to Clarke, he had the honour of hitting the first tee shot. It was the first time The Open had been played in Northern Ireland since 1951 and to have been won by a fellow Irishman, Shane Lowry, was even more special.
The Darren Clarke Foundation supports junior golf in Ireland, as well as cancer charities.