Darren Clarke says golf success due to being fat, new love in his life
By: Sean O'Shea | Published Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 2:43 PM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 10:27 PM
Darren Clarke may become the third Northern Ireland based golfer in a row to win a major but he as he co-leads the British Open but he says the secret of his success may be that he’s fat.
His agent Chubby Chandler believes so. "Chubby has always said that I play better fat," Clarke said replied. "I've obviously been adhering to that theory."
The London Independent states Clarke is a throw back “...a walking, smoking, Guinness-drinking counterblast to the notion that the modern professional golfer has to be a finely-tuned athlete with a six-pack. Clarke keeps his six-packs in the fridge.”
He has also overcome great personal tragedy after his wife Heather died of breast cancer a few weeks after he helped lead Ireland and Britain to a Ryder Cup win at the K Club near Dublin in 2006.
That puts it all in perspective for him "I wouldn't say it's a breeze," he said of the notion that he could win the British open”, "but nothing would be more difficult than it was at the K Club."
Now he is happy in love again with former Miss Northern Ireland Alison Campbell, the beauty Clarke says "has put my life back on track".
He moved his family back to Northern Ireland to be with her and he says it has brought new stability,
"But now meeting Alison - thanks to a blind date set up by Graeme McDowell - has put my life back on track.
I've moved back home to Portrush from London and it's a lot easier to play better whenever family life is much more stable.
"I've been around long enough and won 20, 21 times so that feeling never really disappears.
"So far this week I've played quite nicely and I believe the forecast for the weekend is very, very poor - which I quite look forward to.
"I've been doing a lot of practice in bad weather... because that's what we get at Portrush. Hopefully it will stand me in good stead.
"Right now I'm very pleased where I'm at. On this golf course anything can happen but I have found my feeling, a little bit of pace on the greens and, hopefully, come Sunday I can get myself right in the mix."
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/golf/3698306/Darren-Clarkes-missus-is-a-Major-hit.html#ixzz1SG9r91Wb
4 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.allan07 | Jul 19, 2011, 03:46 PM EDT
ShmrckS who said "third Northern Ireland golfer in a row to win major"? Do i detect a bit of jealous behaviour there? Wheres Padriag H or Paul McGinley when you need them? As rory said it great news for NORTHERN IRELAND AND TO HAVE 3 MAJOR WINNERS IN 13 MONTHS. WE ARE THE SUPERSTATE OF WORLD GOLF. (Hazel Irvine's comment on the BBC). To put the record straight sources tell me that Darrens reference to the Black stuff is not Guinness but Black Bush Whisky made in Bushmills near his local pub. Darren I am still on tiles myself. (Its nearly been as good as the 12th July party).Cheers Darren. Hope to shake your hand soon.
Shmrck5S | Jul 18, 2011, 02:18 PM EDT
"third Northern Ireland based golfer in a row to win a major"? I was completely unaware that Charl Schwarzl was from Northern Ireland. Or Martin Kaymer, for that matter.
allan07 | Jul 17, 2011, 03:12 PM EDT
Like i said in a previous article by sean about Graeme Mcdowell being Irish or British. Silly question and debate. I said all three golfers Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke are all NORTHERN IRISH AND BRITISH. I also said that Darren Clarke would win this Open and I backed it with £200 at 150/1 on Monday with Bet365. I am over the moon with £30100 to collect to-morrow. It was Great to see Rory McIlroy tweet the British Broadcasting Corporation that he was happy for Darren and that it was Great for NORTHERN IRELAND AND BRITISH GOLF. I just loved the comment by the BBC that NORTHERN IRELAND IS NOW THE SMALLEST SUPERSTATE. No-one is better. I don't like the comments by some that its great for Irish Golf. (The republic of Ireland had nothing to do with it). They simply attempt to gatecrash our party. Get your own players. Dont be stealing ours. OWC (Our wee country) and we have won it all by ourselves. Great play by the big fella - Darren your a Star. Even better your from my own County - Tyrone. To nicearailt a few drinks will not harm anyone providing he is wise to have a few and know the limit. Hes just won the Open Championship and the Oldest major. We need Darren to win the next major so I hope hes smart and knows his limits. Your a star Darren and i hope to shake your hand soon. You have done Dungannon in Tyrone proud. I have heard your girlfriend is a Newtownstewart lady. Good luck with the marriage and i will be praying for more success.
nicgearailt | Jul 16, 2011, 04:36 PM EDT
seems such a genuine fellow,talented golfer,and now has a nice lady to share his life..I recall he is also a father to 2 young boys. what I find so sad is that his drinking habits are spoken of as another talent...I look forward to the day when drink and Ireland are not such an automatic pairing..life can be first class without alcohol...your money can be used in more healthy pursuits...be smart..and blaze a different trail..