The open Golf Championship at Royal St George's was a right old test of stamina, skill and determination. The weather was, to say the least, changeable, sometimes not too bad, sometimes pretty rough and sometimes downright horrible. To add to the players' misery, these conditions seemed to occur in very close proximity, sometimes no more than minutes apart.
Before the event, all eyes were on Rory McIlroy, the new 'Wonder-boy' of British golf. His recent success in the US overode all semblance of common sense as he was made the bookies' favourite to win this week's tournament; of course, this was nonsese. McIlroy is a fine golfer but he is still very young and placing great expectations on him was always likely to be misplaced. In the event, he showed that he does not play well in difficult weather; he never got to grips with the wind and rain and, in his after-match interview, even said that he really did not like playing in such conditions. Perversely, he also seemed to think that he could win the Open in the future without changing his approach, as long as the weather was good ! This was an astonishingly naive remark from the young man and one can only hope that, with age, will come a little more understanding of the game that he is so good at. Perhaps he should spend a little time talking to the 'Grand Old Man' of golf, Tom Watson, who, at the age of almost 62, beat the young Irishman by a shot; I guarantee that Tom never had any such silly thoughts.
With McIlroy's eclipse, the way was open for some other young gun to claim the prize and one or two did try. In the event, however, it was another 'Grand Old Man' (though not one as venerable as Tom) who played the tournament of his life. Darren Clarke played 4 rounds without going over par; he maintained an air of quiet control and confidence throughout, playing through rain, wind and shine, to triumph by 3 shots, that could have been 4 but for him being ultra-cautious over the last 2 holes. After 20 years of trying, this quiet Northern Irishman enjoyed enormous support from the crowds around the course and never once looked like faltering. In the final round, when Phil Mickelson joined him in the lead, he simply carried on; when Mickelson fell away and Dustin Johnson threatened, he ignored it. He played near faultless golf in difficult conditions and was, quite simply, the best player of the week.
Darren Clarke deservedly won the Open Championship, and in true style, but the presentation of the famous Claret Jug does not mention the tournament : he was simply pronounced 'Winner of the Gold Medal and Champion Golfer of the Year' - now there's something to be proud of !
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