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Post by rubcale on Jul 17, 2011 19:18:44 GMT 1
Wonderful stuff from Darren today - I didn't think he could keep it together for the last round.
Won it on his 20th attempt and specially poignant because of the early death of his wife.
Particularly impressed with the reaction of Phil Mickelson who at one stage threatened to run away with it joining Clarke at the top of the leaderboard after scoring 30 for the first 9 holes. He couldn't have been more gracious in his congratulations.
Amazing that three golfers from Northern Ireland have won majors in the past two years.
Going to make BBC Sports Personality of the Year very interesting between McElroy and Clarke and Murray if he were to win US Open (unlikely mind you!)
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Post by raliverpool on Jul 17, 2011 19:34:30 GMT 1
I've spent this afternoon watching this.
When Mickelson charged up the Leaderboard to go level with Darren Clarke, I thought here we go he's going to win it; but I'm delighted for him as he has been such a great golfing character for well over a decade, especially as he seemed to be joining Colin Montgomerie in the golfing legends has-beens never won a Major list.
Incidentally, Darren Clarke has become:
Oldest Open champion since Roberto Di Vicenzo, who was 44, in 1967
Oldest major winner since Ben Crenshaw's 1995 Masters victory at the age of 43
Oldest first-time major champion since Di Vicenzo's 1967 triumph at Hoylake
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Elmer
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Posts: 7,318
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Post by Elmer on Jul 17, 2011 19:52:27 GMT 1
Absolutely fantastic. Such a nice man and so happy for him  |
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vastar iner
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I am the poster on your wall
Posts: 17,467
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Post by vastar iner on Jul 17, 2011 21:21:28 GMT 1
I think Northern Ireland should give the rest of the world a chance.  This is the feel-good sports story of the young decade, I think...maybe of the millennium. After all he's been through. He achieved a miracle for the Ryder Cup team those years ago, it's fitting he has something for himself as well. Amazing to think it's been 10 years since he last top tenned in a major. Never too late... |
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Post by smokeyb on Jul 17, 2011 21:31:28 GMT 1
Remember Graeme McDowell won the US Open last year as well. That is 3 majors won for N Ireland in the last 5 major tournaments.
There must be something in the guiness in N Ireland atm.
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Post by Panda on Jul 18, 2011 13:30:49 GMT 1
It was great to watch yesterday. Clarke looked in control from start to finish and his putting was fantastic.
Completely agree about Mickelson, a real class act. He was really threatening yesterday but that missed short putt seemed to be the turning point.
On rub's point about SPOTY, I think Murray would be struggling to challenge Clarke and McIlroy even if he did win the US Open. I would say Clarke has the edge, just because it was on the BBC and more people would have seen it. There's still the World Athletics Championships to come, so you can't rule out Jessica Ennis or maybe even Mo Farah or Dai Greene.
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Post by Shireblogger on Jul 19, 2011 8:19:24 GMT 1
Delighted for Darren Clarke - thoroughly deserved, and always good to see nice guys winning things.
On the subject of SPOTY, Mark Cavendish should be a contender, but the fact that his best-in-the-world-now and all-time-British-best exploits are only appearing on ITV4 suggests that he'll be on the shortlist but not the podium.
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