Northern Irish · Dungannon, Northern Ireland · Born 14 August 1968A Northern Irish golfer who won The Open Championship in 2011 and captained Europe's 2016 Ryder Cup team.
Darren Christopher Clarke was born on 14 August 1968 in Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and did not take up golf until age 11, developing his game at Royal Portrush Golf Club before attending Wake Forest University in North Carolina and turning professional in 1990. Clarke won both the Spanish and Irish Amateur Championships before turning professional, and delivered his breakthrough European Tour victory at the 1993 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, going on to win 14 times on the tour and twice defeat Tiger Woods in high-profile match-play events. Clarke's wife, Heather, died from breast cancer in 2006, a profound personal tragedy that he has spoken about candidly throughout his career, and he dedicated his greatest triumph to her memory: winning the 2011 Open Championship at Royal St George's on his 20th attempt at a major, at 43 years old, holding off Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson by three shots. Clarke represented Europe in five Ryder Cups and captained the winning European team in 2016, and has continued competing on the PGA Tour Champions and European Senior Tour, winning the 2022 Senior Open Championship and remaining one of Northern Ireland's most beloved golfing figures.
Emotional 2011 Open Championship win at age 42 after 20 previous attempts
How They Played
Powerful driver with strong short game and competitive spirit
Lasting Impact
Popular Northern Irish golfer who captured his major championship at age 42
Career Honours
- The Open Championship 2011
- Ryder Cup winner 1997, 2002, 2004, 2006
- 2016 Ryder Cup captain