On This Day in 2011: Darren Clarke becomes the oldest Open champion since 1967
Darren Clarke became the oldest Open champion since 1967 on this day in 2011 when he won by three shots at Royal St George’s, Sandwich at the age of 42.
The Northern Irishman shot an even-par 70 on the final day to hold off the challenge of American duo Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, who had both threatened to take the Claret Jug after strong showings on their front nine.
Clarke kept his cool to finish on five-under-par at the Kent course and clinch a first-ever major victory having held the lead since the second day.
Darren Clarke moments after winning the 2011 Open Championship at Royal St George’s 🎤#TheOpen #TourArchive pic.twitter.com/oxdPTkGhhu
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 14, 2021
Success at the Iberdrola Open two months earlier, his first European Tour win in three years, had raised hopes of a good showing from the Portrush resident.
A solid opening-round 68 saw Clarke well placed in a tie of sixth before another two-under score saw him earn a share of the lead at the end of day two.
With England’s Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, the world number one and two at the time, missing the cut along with countryman Graeme McDowell, the veteran was able to move to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 69 by the close of the third day.
And an even-par 70 was enough to earn Clarke a maiden major win with rivals Mickelson and Johnson unable to keep up their fast starts on the back nine.
It was an emotional victory and occurred five years after the loss of his wife Heather to breast cancer, with their two sons watching on at home across the Irish sea.
Clarke said: “I’ve been writing this speech for 20 years now and it’s been a long bumpy road.
“This means a lot to me and my family and as you may know there is someone up there looking down on me as well.”
It was the third win for a North Irishman at a major in the space of 13 months after McDowell’s 2010 US Open success and Rory McIlroy’s victory at the 2011 edition at Congression Country Club, Maryland a month earlier.
Clarke’s celebrations went long into the night with plenty of the “black stuff” enjoyed by the Ulsterman who was the oldest Open champion since Roberto De Vicenzo’s triumph in 1967 at the age of 44.
Latest
-
NewsNacho Elvira dedicates dramatic Cazoo Open victory to Celia Barquin Arozamena
The 2018 European Ladies’ Amateur champion was murdered later in the year on a course in Iowa.
-
NewsMinjee Lee overturns a seven-shot deficit to take Evian Championship victory
A win over South Korea’s Jeongeun Lee6 in a play-off saw the Australian secure her first major title.
-
NewsMinjee Lee overturns a seven-shot deficit to take Evian Championship victory
A win over South Korea’s Jeongeun Lee6 in a play-off saw the Australian secure her first major title.
-
NewsMatt Wallace out to show Padraig Harrington his desire to make Ryder Cup team
Wallace was overlooked for a wild card in 2018 despite winning for the third time in 15 starts.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa to reassess his goals after winning The Open at first attempt
The 24-year-old American has already won two majors.
-
NewsThe Open day four: Halfway to a career grand slam two years after turning pro
Collin Morikawa has added the Open to the US PGA, both of them won on tournament debut.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa eager to savour taste of success after debut Open triumph
The American became only the second person after Tiger Woods to win the Open and US PGA before the age of 25.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa admits magnitude of historic Open victory is ‘hard to take in’
The 24-year-old is the first player to win two different majors at their first attempt.
-
NewsThe Open day four: Collin Morikawa holds off the challenge of Jordan Spieth
The American held his nerve to create history in the 149th Open at a sun-drenched Royal St George’s.