Golf is Darren Clarke’s drug - reveals his new book
Darren Clarke has had an eventful ride in golf since he turned pro in 1990. Twenty-two years since he first played his tournament as a professional, Clarke has the experience of playing on four tours.
Clarke first started off on the PGA Tour but found little success. However, the European Tour has been a fruitful hunting ground for the Irishman. Thrice he finished second on the money tour list in Europe.
However, the highlight of his career came after a good 21years since turning pro at the 2011 British Open.
Clarke won his first major in 54 attempts at the 2011 British Open and dedicated the victory to his late wife. His wife lost the battle with breast cancer and passed away in 2006.
Throughout all these years, Clarke has had a mixed ride. Sometimes he was very good and at other times, he was nothing more than a sluggish player.
All these are part of life and, being a sportsman, lows and highs are a common aspect of life.
Recently, Darren launched his new autobiography ‘An Open Book’. There are some interesting revelations and quotes from Clarke.
The most famous one probably being, ‘I detest the game at times...but I can’t give it up. It’s like a drug to me’.
Clarke has always found it tough, dealing with the troubles of life and that is when he really hates this game. However, at the same time, being a professional golfer, he knows that this is his bread and butter.
Apart from golf being his bread and butter, he really loves the game. He still finds it challenging.
"I absolutely detest it at times too. I really do, and I sometimes wonder about the futility of it all, but I just can't give it up. It's like a drug to me. The challenge keeps me going".
Golf can sometimes be very troublesome emotionally. Especially if one shoots some really bad rounds, then things can go wrong pretty badly.
"I want things so badly that although my attitude has driven me to the highest of highs, it has also taken me to the lowest of lows. And I find it very difficult to deal with the lows".
As much as he wants to quit the game, he gets attached to it even more, as he himself has said that golf is like a drug for him.
"I've seriously thought about packing it [golf] in on several occasions but those feelings have not lasted because I love the game so much”.
Leaving the sport is not easy for a man who has been attached to it for more than four decades now. High and lows are part of life and, for Clarke, dealing with lows has always been a bit of headache.
There have been times he went winless through the years but this game has made him the Darren Clarke we know.
Tags: