Northern Ireland’s very own Darren Clarke hung on to win the British Open on Sunday by three shots, beating out an ever present Phil Mickelson to claim one of golf’s top prizes.
The Irishman came into the event as a near after thought at Royal St. George’s when he managed to play some brilliant golf in heavy wind gusts.
Mickelson attempted to chase down Clarke on the final round of play, landing three birdies in his first six holes and grabbing co-ownership of the lead on No. 7 following a 25-foot birdie. Four pairings later Clarke landed a 20-foot eagle of his own on No. 7 and despite his bogey’s on Nos. 17 and 18 he managed to close the tournament with an even-par 70 to finish at five-under-par 275.
The victory is Clarke’s first major championship in 54 attempts having finished in second place during the 1997 British open and third at the same tournament in 2001.
In the meantime Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson finished tied for second.
