Open champion Darren Clarke bracing up for the Irish Open showdown on the European Tour
Northern Irishman Daren Clarke might be laid off for the moment because of his burgeoning Groin injury, the 2011 Open champion is bracing up for the coveted Irish Open title, scheduled at his home course, the Royal Portrush.
Clarke, who slumped to form vows and suffered a chronic Groin injury a few days back, is hoping to land the title which is returning to the sprawling Portrush after it was last held at the venue in the year 1953.
With two decades of professional golfing experience on his belt and the latest Open Champion accolade glistening on his shoulder, Clarke is raring to go for the home title and will be utilising his tons of experience to win the trophy.
He said, “Everyone who knows me knows that I have been looking forward to the Irish Open on my home course ever since it was announced, in January, that it was coming back here”.
The event is scheduled in a month’s time and Clarke is hoping that by that time he has recuperated from his Groin injury.
He added, “Now the fact this injury means I won’t play officially until I tee up on the Dunluce Course in a month’s time means I will really be raring to go. Everyone in Northern Ireland is counting down the hours for this championship to start, and I’m
one of them”.
The Irish Open was last held at Royal Portrush in 1953 and the European Tour officials decided to revisit the course, following consecutive Northern Irish victories on the tour.
Rory McIlroy, the current US Open champion, Graeme McDowell the 2010 US Open champion, Clarke who won the Open last year and the three-time major winner Padraig Harrington did well to convince George O’Grady to stage the event on Portrush.
For the moment, the event has gathered considerable momentum ahead of its schedule and the rise of the Northern Irish golf has delivered ample impetus to the event well before it is staged.
Ticket sales have soared to a record high and the course is all set to receive the biggest crowds in the history of the event.
This is also the first time the Irish Open will be held at Royal Portrush after the creation of the European Tour in 1972.
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