• Open Championship

Open hero Clarke came close to quitting

ESPN staff
July 19, 2011
Darren Clarke is savouring his Open win to the full © PA Photos
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Darren Clarke's Open Championship win came close to never actually happening, as he considered walking away from the game a couple of months before his Royal St George's success.

Clarke defied the odds to fend off a stiff challenge from Phil Mickelson to win his first major at the age of 42. It has proved a hugely popular victory, with the Ulsterman receiving words of congratulations from the golfing community.

He toasted the win in style with a night of celebration to match those of the England team after their Ashes success in 2005. Clarke emerged on Monday bleary eyed and a little worse for wear to confirm his desire to see the Open head back to his native Northern Ireland.

He is planning to take his career back on an upward curve, but it may not have happened at all as his manager and great friend Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler claimed a poor showing at the Trophee Hassan II Morocco in April left Clarke contemplating his future in the game.

"It was the lowest I have seen him," Chandler said. "He was not hitting the ball well and shot 81 and 75 over the weekend. He talked about giving up.

"After that he went away for three weeks, came back, and win in Mallorca. It all started from there."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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