Darren Clarke commits to play the Portugal Masters
Darren Clarke has been added to the published field of the Portugal Masters at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Club, in Vilamoura, from October 11 to 14, 2012.
Clarke is no doubt one of the best players Northern Ireland has produced so far. Since turning professional in 1990, he has recorded a total of 22 victories in his career, including 14 on the European Tour.
In 2000, he earned the first World Golf Championship victory of his career, after defeating Tiger Woods 4 & 3 at the Andersen Consulting Match Play Championship.
Two years later, he added another WGC title to his resume with a victory in the NEC Invitational.
That was a time when he was at the peak of his career. However, he lost the momentum afterwards and remained winless on the European Tour for the next five years.
Meanwhile, he kept of raising trophies on the Japan Golf Tour. In 2008, he recorded two European Tour victories and proved his mettle.
The year 2011 witnessed him earn the biggest victory of his career at The Open Championship.
By and large, he has proved his worth as one of the best players in the sport by performing well in different parts of the world.
He now aims to prove his mettle on the Portuguese soil. In the last five editions of the Portugal Masters, he made his appearance in four of them.
According to him, he always enjoyed playing in Portugal because of the hospitality services he receives during his journey. Moreover, the local courses are some of the best in the region.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing in the Portugal Masters. You are always guaranteed a very hospitable welcome and the climate and food are outstanding,” he said.
“I’ve won titles in a number of countries, including a couple in Spain ‘next door’, so it would be nice to win in a different country and over a golf course I’ve enjoyed playing in the past”.
The defending champion Tom Lewis will also return to field, with an aim to record two victories in a row. Last year, the victory played an important role in earning him the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award.
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