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 | | | | | | Quick Facts | | | Birthdate: 14 August 1968 | | Birthplace: Dungannon,
Northern Ireland | | | Age: 34 Ht: 6ft 2½ in (189cm) Wt: 14st 7lb (92kg) | | | Home: Sunningdale, Berkshire, UK | | | Country: Northern Ireland | | | Turned Professional: 1990 (plus 4) | | | |
| Previous Ryder Cup Appearances | | | (2) 1997, 1999
| | European Tour Victories | | |
(9) 1993 Alfred Dunhill Open; 1996 Linde German Masters; 1998 Benson and Hedges International Open, Volvo Masters; 1999 Compass Group English Open; 2000 WGC-Accenture Match Play, Compass Group English Open; 2001 Smurfit European Open; 2002 Compass Group English Open
| | Player Notes | |
Darren Clarke was always destined to become a prominent Ryder Cup player. As he prepares to play in the Matches for a third time, it is arguable that his best has still to come.
When it comes to match play, regarded by many as the purest form of golf, Clarke has few peers. The year 2000 was the one which identified Clarke as a world class competitor in head-to-head combat when he won the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship and $1 million at La Costa Resort and Spa.
In the process, Clarke disposed of the great and the good of professional golf - Paul Azinger, Mark O'Meara, Thomas Björn, Hal Sutton, David Duval and Tiger Woods. All succumbed to Clarke's vast repertoire of stroke making.
Big of physique and talent, he has a heart to match and a line of cigars which can only be described as huge. Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler, his manager and close confidant, recognised the immense talent long before it was unleashed against the might of Uncle Sam, and it didn't take long for the rest of the world to sit up and take notice either.
Clarke's debut in the Ryder Cup coincided with that of his friend and stablemate, Lee Westwood, at Valderrama in 1997. Initially, it was a frustrating occasion as captain Seve Ballesteros decided to leave him out on the opening day, while Westwood teamed up with Nick Faldo to win one point of a possible two.
However the next day Ballesteros broke up the pairing of Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie, presenting Clarke with the chance to link up with his fellow Celt in the Saturday fourballs.
A battle royal ensued against Fred Couples and Davis Love III, ending with victory for the European pairing on the final green by one hole. It was just the start Clarke wanted to his Ryder Cup career and although Montgomerie and Langer were reunited to good effect in the afternoon, Clarke had arrived as a Ryder Cupper.
By the time Brookline came around, Clarke and Westwood were firmly established as two of the brightest stars in the firmament. Such was their close friendship that Mark James, the European captain, had no compunction in letting them carry that camaraderie onto the golf course.
Initially it didn't quite click as Clarke and Westwood went down in the opening morning foursomes to Sutton and Jeff Maggert. Nothing is designed to upset that pair as a stinging 3 and 2 defeat, and they responded in style.
Facing the might of Woods and David Duval - ranked Numbers One and Two in the world respectively - the Europeans battled ferociously to a last green victory and repeated the dose of medicine the next morning, taking out Jim Furyk and Mark O'Meara 3 and 2.
Phil Mickelson and Tom Lehman proved a tougher proposition in the afternoon and Clarke and Westwood went down 2 and 1. Then, placed first and second in the Sunday singles by James, there was disappointment for both men, Westwood losing to Lehman and Sutton defeating Clarke 4 and 2.
Three years on, though, Clarke is a more complete player as he has shown time and time again. Beating Woods in the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship at La Costa displayed his great gift at hand-to-hand combat.
The De Vere Belfry awaits…and Darren Clarke is ready.
Background
Became the first European to win one of the World Golf Championships events, capturing the Accenture Match Play Championship in February 2000, beating David Duval in the semi-final and Tiger Woods in the 36-hole final at La Costa Resort and Spa. Had made a slower start to 1999, winning The Compass Group English Open in fine style then in the Smurfit European Open he became the first player on The European Tour to shoot 60 for a second time. Equalled three records - most birdies (12), consecutive birdies (eight) and the low round on The European Tour (ninth time 60 has been achieved). Won Benson and Hedges International Open in May 1998 to set up a bold attack on the Volvo Order of Merit title. Almost succeeded - finishing second after capturing Volvo Masters with closing record-equalling 63. Topped Reuters Performance Data Stroke Averages in 1998. Helped organise special pro-am at Portmarnock in September that year in aid of the victims of the Omagh bombing tragedy. Always keen on fast cars and is a familiar sight in his gleaming Ferrari with the registration DC 60 - a reference to those low rounds. Retained The Compass Group English Open in 2000, coming from six shots behind on the last day to beat Michael Campbell and Mark James - the last person to defend successfully in 1989 and 1990. Led the Volvo Order of Merit race going into the final week at Valderrama but his position of tied 17th in the WGC-American Express Championship was not sufficient to prevent Lee Westwood claiming the title of Europe's Number One. Won in South Africa for the first time at the start of 2001, capturing the Dimension Data Pro-Am. Also won the Chunichi Crowns tournament in Japan before capturing his first European Tour title of the year on home soil in the Smurfit European Open at The K Club in July - the first Irishman to win in Ireland since John O'Leary 19 years earlier. Reaffirmed his affinity with the Compass Group English Open in 2002, winning it for the third time.
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Darren Clarke
