Clarke wins European Open
IN: News | European PGA | Smurfit European Open (2001) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 09 Jul 2001
Darren Clarke from Northern Ireland, who showed last week with his second at the Murphy's Irish Open that things were turning for the better, produced a last round 64 to win this event in front of huge crowds at the KClub course just outside of Dublin.
Clarke, who had an ordinary start to this season, had shown a glimpse of things to come with a fifth at the English Open a month ago. This win is his 8th in Europe and he has now moved to fourth on the Volvo Order of Merit with earnings of more than $A1,500,000.
He won by three from local Padraig Harrington who also thrilled the last day crowd of 28,000 with a final hole birdie to tie Thomas Bjorn and a resurgent Ian Woosnam for second. Woosnam's second was his best effort since his second at the Qatar Masters 15 months ago.
Clarke, who has shown a liking for the British Open with a second to Leonard at Troon in 97 and 7th last year at St Andrews, may well be a dark horse for next week at Royal Lytham St Annes. He finished 11th there in 1996 behind Lehman and given the form he is now in then he is a genuine chance on a course that seems to reward world players rather than Americans.
Richard Green, who is playing with great consistency this season, recorded his 9th top twenty in 14 starts this year this improved consistency being further highlighted by his rounds of 70,70,70,70 to finish 12th ($A80,000) and the leading Australian. Stephen Leaney and Michael Campbell were 23rd ($A55,000), O'Malley and Rumford 40th ($A33,000), John Senden and Peter Lonard 45th, Scott Gardiner 52nd, Greg Turner 58th, Adam Scott 62nd and Wayne Riley 89th.
The European Tour now moves to Scotland for the Scottish Open prior to the British Open next week at Royal Lytham.
