Darren Clarke birdied the final hole to claim a one stroke win and his first Tour title in almost a decade with victory at the PGA TOUR Champions’ TimberTech Championship.
The Dungannon favourite posted six birdies in a final round of four-under par 68 to pip Germany’s Bernhard Langer to the post at 17-under par.
“It’s been a grind, it’s been hard work,” reflected an emotional Clarke whose 10-under par round of 62 on Saturday set up the opportunity for a maiden Champions Tour title. “You know, these guys are good… these guys are real good so to actually get it done feels great.”
“My attitude was great. I had a couple of messages last night, one from Dr. Bob Rotella who I’ve been working with for a long time and he just told me to hang in there and keep going and just accept what comes. Sometimes we push and push to hard but today was just patience and I waited for things to happen.”
The Dungannon golfer had last tasted success in capturing the 2011 Open Championship at Royal St. George’s. Clarke turned 50 early in August, 2018 but in his prior 39 events he managed a second and three other top-10s. His 23rd pro career victory earned him a first prize cheque for Euro 219,000.
Langer had been leading with five holes to play but fell one back of Clarke with bogeys at 15 and 17, where the 63-year old German’s putt lipped-out with Langer showing his disgust by dropping his long-handled putter.
Langer then birdied the last in a score of 67 to again tie Clarke before the Ulster golfer won the title with a virtual tap-in birdie at the 54th hole.
Full scoring HERE + full report to follow
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