Player Profile - Darren Clarke

This week’s player profile highlights the career of 2011 British Open Champion Darren Clarke.

Born in 1968 in Dungannon, Northern Ireland, Clarke took to the game of golf and developed his skills during his years at school. When he was twenty years old, having won the 1989 East of Ireland Championship, Clarke moved to the United States where he attended Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

After playing successful college golf in the United States, Clarke focussed mostly on the European Tour in the 1990s, while in the 2000s he divided his time between Europe and North America. His first victory on the European Tour came in 1993 when he won the Alfred Dunhill Open, beating Nick Faldo and Vijay Singh by two strokes. Victory came again in 1996 at the Linde German Masters where Clarke edged out a one stroke victory over Briton Mark Davis. After these initial victories, Clarke had become a serious contender on the European Tour.

By the 2000 season Clarke had won another five tournaments in Europe, including the Andersen Consulting Matchplay Championship – his first international victory. With a string of European victories behind him, Clarke made his debut on the US PGA Tour.

With wins at the 2000 Andersen Matchplay Championship and the 2003 NEC Invitational, Clarke had a successful career on the PGA Tour. However, his greatest victories were in Europe where he won a total of twelve tournaments between 1993 and 2011.

In the years between 2004 and 2006, Clarke’s wife Heather was diagnosed with breast cancer. As the committed family man took time off from his golf schedule to care for his wife and children, he won the adoration of golf fans around the world. Sadly, his wife passed away in 2006.

On Sunday Darren Clarke won a long-awaited victory when he clinched the 2011 British Open. This golfer, who has weathered many storms in his path to victory, will continue to thrill golf fans as he continues his successful career.

Golfweather Editorial