DARREN CLARKE WINS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

By mustang6560 on 7/17/11

I think Rory McIlroy’s tweet sums up Darren Clarke’s victory at the Open Championship the best:

"Northern Ireland...... Golf capital of the world!!"

The small country of Northern Ireland now owns three out of the last six major championship titles and became the first country since 1910 to win back-to-back major titles other than the United States. And they did it with a population about the size of West Virginia. Graeme McDowell started the trend 13 months ago at Pebble Beach with his victory at the 2010 U.S. Open, Rory continued it last month with his victory at the U.S. Open at Congressional and now Darren made it one more.

After Rory won the U.S.Open last month, Darren withdrew from the BMW International Open to celebrate with his fellow countryman. This time, it’s Rory turn to help Darren celebrate.

"And I'll be very, very hungover," he said.

If Northern Ireland is ever going to convince the R&A to let the Open return to the country, now is the time. The popularity of Northern Ireland golf is at an all time high so they better act quickly before the momentum is gone.

For a moment in time, it looked like Phil Mickelson was going to win his first Open Championship. I was trying to keep tabs on the action over in Sandwich, England on my iPhone in between groups at the Viking Classic. I saw Phil was two-under through four and made a comment to the group I was working with and said “Watch out, Phil’s making a move.” Next thing I know, my brother texted me and said Phil was five-under through seven. At this point, I decided to abandon my plans of rooting for Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson to pull for Phil. As quick as Phil’s run started, it seemed like it ended. Another heart breaker for the last American to win a major title.

The Open Championship turned out to be what many said the U.S. Open wasn’t, a true test. I’m happy for Darren - he fought the weather and won. Plus, it was a feel good win as Darren’s gone through a tough few years with the loss of his wife to breast cancer and having to raise his two boys by himself.

Three majors down, one to go.



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photo by zrim

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