• Irish Open

Clarke denies having money troubles ahead of Open win

Darren Clarke reportedly suffered in an investment involving former world No. 1 Lee Westwood © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Open hero Clarke came close to quitting
  
• News: Clarke wants Northern Ireland to host the Open
  
• Profile: Darren Clarke

Open Championship winner Darren Clarke has denied claims by his agent that he was almost broke before he triumphed at Royal St George's.

Clarke's earnings finished in the region of £3 million after he picked up his prize money and sponsor rewards for his maiden major triumph. Yet in a candid interview agent Chubby Chandler confessed his client had been in need of the windfall.

According to Chandler, the economic recession had hit Clarke hard, hurting a series of his investments. It's a story that is hard to believe as the Northern Irishman travels around in his Ferrari.

"He lost a lot of money on the jet he bought with Lee Westwood," Chandler had claimed. "They bought it when the prices were sky high and sold it with the price at rock bottom.

"He has [also] been unable to sell the house and that's created big problems as well."

Clarke's house is reportedly worth in the region of £4.85 million, but he has been struggling to sell it for around a year. None of these problems, though, seem to be worrying the 42-year-old ahead of the Irish Open.

Asked if he had been in financial trouble prior to The Open, Clarke responded in the Belfast Telegraph: "Not particularly. No. I prefer to keep my mouth shut on those sort of things."

Clarke also revealed he is struggling for form ahead of the Irish Open, which begins on Thursday, saying: "I did a company thing on Thursday and I played with three mates from home in Bushfoot on Friday. Then I'd 13 holes with [sons] Tyrone and Conor yesterday morning at Royal Portrush - I played shocking but I played."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.